First Hair Cut-10 months old

Tanner was growing quite the mop.  Besides trimming over his ears once or twice I was trying to hold off on giving him a major hair cut until his first birthday.  Well, yesterday it was just driving me NUTS so guess who got a hair cut while sitting in the bath. (Yes, bath…It is the only time he is still enough for me to attempt it.)  Here are the before and after pictures:

Before:

 

After:

 

There are still a couple longer pieces taunting me when I look closely but I will get those today when he is eating (He is also pretty still during this event too).

 

Such a BIG BOY he is becoming…..  In the last month he has gone from JUST beginning to crawl to walking everywhere (using objects and his walker), his top teeth are coming in, and he had his fist hair cut.  He is still a happy, mellow fellow though with an AWESOME disposition and even better sleep habits.  A mommy couldn’t ask for anything better, especially with another baby coming in 5 months…EEK.

Bookaholic

OK…I  have the little icon over here that says what I am reading but I don’t update it nearly enough.  Since I have gotten my kindle (x-mas eve), I have a problem.  Hi, my name is Heidi, and I am a book-a-holic.  Here are the books I have read in the last 30 days:

The Girl Who Played with Fire  by Steig Larson

The Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest by Steig Larson

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Emma by Jane Austin

Persuasion by Jane Austin

Yep that is more than a book a week people.  I might have a problem.  A bookaholic owning an e-reader is like a heroin addict that lives with its dealer….CONSTANT SUPPLY PEOPLE!!!

To my defense, it IS the nasty part of the winter and reading helps me escape the winter doldrums that set in around this time.  Also, I really have nothing better to do.  I am not staying in my own house so projects are really out of the question and a girl can really only do so much laundry and watch so many 90210 re-runs.  Tanner naps on average of 4 hours a day and gives this mama plenty of time to sit back and relax.  I KNOW I won’t read this much when the weather gets warm and when Deuce comes in June.  So I guess I should reform my previous statement. “Hi, my name is Heidi.  I am a bookaholic and really don’t care.”

Any fellow addicts out there?

PS, since I fly through books I am ALWAYS taking suggestions.  E-mail me or comment if you think you have a book that is CAN’T MISS!!!

Let’s go to the mall…

For those of you who watch “How I Met Your Mother” on CBS, you will totally understand when I exclaim, “Let’s go to the Mall!!”  For those of you who have not yet realized the super funny and entertaining show, here is a video that helps explain it.  One of the characters, Robin, will not go the the mall because she was a Canadian teen pop sensation who had a hit “Let’s go to the mall.”  It is hilarious and here is a video of her “hit”.  I love it!!

 

Anyways, point of this post being is that Paul, Tanner, and I hit up Miller Hill Mall in Duluth yesterday.  Winter is fully upon us here in Northern MN and we needed to get out of the house and do something.  (Plus I have an addiction to Bath and Body Works foaming antibacterial hand soap and there was a sale)

It was a nice way to get out and actually walk around with out having to have 3 layers of clothing on.  Tanner was a charmer as always, getting the “Oh he’s so cute!” everywhere we went.  I don’t think I have taken him anywhere besides the doctor or visiting family for 3 months now so he thought all the people, lights and stuff were the coolest thing ever and was SO WELL behaved.  We had lunch at our new favorite burger place- Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  My friend Bonny and her husband live in Jacksonville and RAVE about it.  So we had to try it.  It definitely lived up to the hype and had some great burgers at a great price.  Tanner loved it too and the guys working there were all SUPER nice. They gave Tanner a safety sucker and he thought it was the coolest thing.  He didn’t realize you could eat it but had a blast playing with it in it’s wrapper.  Maybe one day I will show him the sweet goodness but the longer I can get away with him NOT knowing what candy is, the better.  Paul and I will surely be going back to Five Guys.  After shopping, lunch, and a trip to the grocery store on the way home, I was thoroughly pooped and so was Tanner.  We managed to stay up to 9 (almost) and Tanner slept till almost 9 this morning.  We’ll have to make more outings like this, especially to help beat the winter stir craziness that sets in about this time of year. 

 

Next up is swimming.  I have realized that Duluth area doesn’t have any community centers or public indoor pools BUT the local AmericInn Hotel offers swimming passes to use their pool and it’s only 8 miles away.  Tanner LOVES the water so I think we’ll be making a trip there very soon.  Plus I am sure we might have the run of the place.  I can’t imagine very many Moose Lake residents rushing to use the pool midweek.  I can’t wait!!  Hope you are finding ways to battle the winter cooped up craziness too!!

I Have a Dream…

Today marks the time every year when this country celebrates the life, legacy and ideas of Martin Luther King Jr.  No…It is not just a day off for students and government workers around the country.  MLK really had some great, inspiring ideas. I find myself wondering what he would be thinking about America today.  Without getting too political or religious, I believe that the American society has really made some great strides in accepting difference but there is SOOOOOOOOO far to go until people stop being ignorant and hateful for no reason other than fear: Fear of differences, fear of the unknown, fear of the demonized “others” we hear about constantly.  With all my humanistic optimism, I truly believe that people are people across the board: we all live, breath, love, reproduce, thrive, struggle, etc.  Also, in that optimism I feel that if we all just practiced a little more generosity with our acceptance, love, time, and empathy, our lives could be more enriched than imaginable.  The ultimate good that Dr. King spoke about in many of his speeches could thrive. 

Anyways, this is just some food for thought.  I will leave you with some memorable quotes from the late Dr. King.  Give them some thought and hopefully one or more can inspire you to live and love like MLK dreamed of.

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.'”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.” –Paul’s Letter to American Christians

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”

“I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.”

“The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers."

Thank you Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Happy 28th Birthday to my BFF

I did this for Paul last year on his birthday last year so thought I would do it for my friend Bonny who turns 28 today.  28 reasons to love her:

1-She’s a 5 foot 1.5 inch bundle of goodness (She claims to be 5’2”)

2-She’s a true Minnesota girl no matter where she lives.

3-She is a snappy dresser.

4-I can tell her everything and usually do.

5-She has an awesome sense of humor.

6-She has TINY feet (aka..hooves) and her shoes are just so cute.  They look like high heels for a ten year old.

7- She is a good listener.

8-She is an AWESOME friend and would do anything for someone who needed her.

9-She LOVES her family.

10-She defies the laws of physics by being so small and popping out normal size babies.

11-Speaking of babies, she makes pretty darn cute ones.

12- She’ll choose an ice cold beer over a fancy drink ANY day.

13- She doesn’t cook with onions because she doesn’t like them.

14- She loves her job.

15- She is one of the most social people I know.

16- I can pick her up. (most of the times this happens when we have had a couple and she acts like a koala)

17- Her driving skills have GREATLY improved in the last 10 years.

18- She has beautiful hair (even on bad hair days)

19-She is a great wife to a VERY lucky man, Ryan.

20- She is a great mother.

21-She once walked around telling everyone she was a hobbit because she had never seen “Lord of the Rings” and didn’t know hobbits were short, furry creatures.

22- She talks about moving back to MN, even though it is 10 years out.

23-She doesn’t like water, but LOVES Gatorade propel.

24-She asks lots of questions and doesn’t pretend to know it all.

25-She RELIGIOUSLY gets pedicures, therefore having the nicest looking hooves around.

26-She loves shopping.  (And is really good at it)

27-She remembers every birthday and ALWAYS sends a card.

28- Even though she lives 1,000 plus miles away, she is still the BEST BEST friend a gal could ever ask for and I KNOW she will be one that lasts a lifetime! 

Love you Bonny!!!!

Let’s get real

I feel that most of the time people (myself included) only post the good stuff on their blogs…the good pictures, the good stories, the stuff that makes them look good and like they have completely got their s#* together.  Which I don’t doubt they do…MOST of the time.  Of course the only example I have to go off is myself, but I feel that I am a pretty average example of a woman in her late twenties.  I am college educated, married to the man I love, doing something I love on a daily basis and realize that I have my act together most days but what about the other days???

I started thinking about this more as I looked in the mirror today.  To put it quite simply, I am a HOT MESS!!  Light on the hot- heavy on the mess.  My only saving grace today is that I actually am not wearing the nasty striped pajama pants that I prefer most days but instead a nice pair of maternity yoga pant.  Like I said, that is my ONLY saving grace today.  Other than that, I am wearing a hot pink t-shirt that says “Danube rocks”, my hair is up in a nasty “mom” ponytail that I vowed NEVER to sport (Never say Never I guess), speaking of my hair..I haven’t gotten in professionally done since October, and I don’t have on an ounce of makeup (even to cover these awesome pregnancy zits that popped up yesterday).  I’ll show post a picture soon so you can get the FULL effect.

I am sure I am not the only one who is simply a mess some days.  Maybe for those who work outside the home, they aren’t physically a mess like I am but are an emotional wreck about something, or at their wits end about finances, or kids, or their marriage, or their job, or their in-laws or heaven help you if this is you but-ALL of the above.  My point is that we are “supposed” to have it together and show the world that we can do it all and all the while be happy about it.  Point being here that it’s OK to be a mess sometimes.  Now if this starts spreading into EVERY SINGLE DAY…you might want to rethink some decisions.  For me, I bought myself a prenatal yoga DVD and am getting my hair done this week.  This slobfest I have going on just simply won’t do for much longer.  To all the rest of my fellow bloggers, moms, women and other readers I hope this picture of the REAL me helps you feel better about the REAL you :)  Now here is me today :

 

Just chuggin along here in the Northland

Hope everyone has had a great start to their new year so far.  It has been nice so far up here.  Things are moving along with this pregnancy.  I am 17 weeks already starting to look more like a pregnant lady and less like a lady who just likes second helpings of dinner on a regular basis.  Although, my appetite has been coming back in full force since the morning (all day) sickness has stopped and I do find myself getting seconds from time to time.  I have still been losing a few pounds though so I guess it is a win/win.  I hope this pregnancy is like my first in that my doctor encourages me to eat more.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I heard the heartbeat again on Friday at my doctor’s appointment.  It is right in the 150’s, just like it always was with Tanner.  I had a fleeting moment of wanting to find out the sex of this baby last night.  I was putting away some baby girl clothes that I have acquired through garage sales and thrift shops when it hit me.  I wanted to find out the sex.  If my ultrasound would have been right then and there, I surely would have.   After sleeping on it and realizing that I really did like finding out in the delivery room with Tanner, I decided to be patient and wait until June.  Plus, i think it is fun to go back and forth on your “gut” feelings.  I was sure that Tanner was a girl so it just show how “in tune” I am.  I believe my words when he first came out were “It has a penis!!!”  haha…I am so graceful with words, even in sentimental times.  In a couple weeks when I have my ultrasound I am committed to telling the tech that we don’t want to know the sex…. Or maybe Paul will have to if I still have the urge.

In other news, I enjoyed a nice girls weekend in Duluth last weekend for my sister’s 30th birthday.  Her actual birthday was Jan 2nd but we celebrated the following weekend.  In all there were ten of us, including 3 pregnant ladies, so as you can imagine, we really tore up the town :)  We shopped, swam, (some of us) enjoyed cocktails, and laughed like crazy.  It was a great two days.  Here are some pictures that my friend Maria took of the weekend.

3 pregnant ladies (Me-16 weeks, Maria –35 weeks, Sarah 30 weeks with TWINS)

 

Making S’mores

Left- All the Girls out at Grandma’s, Right-The new 30yr old with cocktail and marshmallow in hand

 

The hot tub on the roof (lift bridge in background).  I decided that the indoor pool was the only way to go.  Especially after seeing their faces upon getting out of the pool into the 5 degree Duluth winter.

The view from our room.  Watched a few ships roll in over the weekend making sure to get in before the lake iced up til spring.

  

It was a really fun weekend and a nice winter escape.  I know the rest of the ladies had just as much fun too!!  I can’t wait to do it again :)

Happy New Year!!!!

I hope you all had a very happy holiday week!!  We were busy but sure had lots of fun.  Christmas Eve was spent at home in Barnum with Paul and Tanner.  It was actually the first time I had ever made a Christmas Dinner all by myself…I am growing up so fast.  My Aunt and Uncle, Pam and Terry, who live next door come over to help us eat all the food we had!!  I ended up getting the Kindle that I had been asking for since…well…last Christmas!  I LOVE IT!!  I am already onto book #3 since Christmas Eve.  (Note: I am a speed reader so I fly through books like crazy)

Christmas Day we went to my sister’s house for brunch before spending the rest of the afternoon swimming and staying at the hotel in Princeton next to my grandparent’s apartment building.  It was a little different than other x-mas celebrations we have had but over all tons of fun.  The kids all had fun swimming and playing in the pool.

The 26th was also spent with family while I waited to go to Annella’s baptism and dinner with some high school girlfriends on Mon.  It was fun catching up with the girls and getting to spend some time with my BFF as her daughter was baptized.  Honestly one of the highlights of my day though was sitting with at the kids table during the lunch after the baptism service.  Bonny’s nieces and nephews sure did crack me up and we had some very funny conversations as I drew them pictures and we ate our pizza.

The rest of this week has been spent at home prepping for new year’s Eve company.  I did lots of cooking and loved every second of it :)  I cook  A LOT!!! One of the perks of staying with my parents is that I love to cook and my mom doesn’t.  However, she doesn’t mind doing the dishes!!  It works out fabulously!!   Also, my nieces Jada and Saniya stayed with us all week (I brought them back up north with me after my dinner on Monday)  Tanner loved having them around and spent hours watching them play and laughing as they played with him.   It was great to see how nice they played together.

Last night was probably was the most mellow New Year’s Eve celebration I have ever taken part in.  It was a lot of family time and good food.  Tanner and I headed over to bed before midnight.  I had great intentions of counting sheep long before the start of the new year but Tanner had other plans.  He was teething and crying so I spent my new year with a crabby but adorably cute little boy and gave him a New Year’s kiss and Tylenol before putting him to bed…again.

My resolution for 2011 is to NOT be pregnant for ringing in 2012 :)  After 2 years in a row of being pregnant I would really like to at least have a glass of champagne or wine to celebrate.  Plus I can’t imagine 3 babies in 3 years so I better take a ‘tad’ bit longer between “Duece” and #3.

That’s about it for the Northwoods….Oh yah….I almost forgot some other BIG news.  Well, big in my Mommy world anyways- Tanner is now among the mobile.  He has been belly crawling for weeks but this morning he did some ACTUAL crawling.  Coordinating the movement of his hands and feet…together…to move forward!!!  It’s still a little shakey and slow but I bet by this time next week he will be cruising around here like he owns the place.  I can’t WAIT!!!  Better get baby-proofing!!!

Krumkake

Being the good Scandinavian girl I am, I decided to make Krumkake this year.  My Grandma Huesmann usually makes this but I decided to give a try for myself.  It is easy but time consuming.

As you can see, it is a very high tech and modern machine we use :)

 

We borrowed this iron from my mom’s friend Patty.  I might have to scour thrift stores and garage sales this year to find one of my own to use for next year.

Recipe:

3 eggs beaten

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp vanilla

Combine beaten eggs and sugar; beat well.  Add melted butter, flour, and extract.  Cook as directed with krumkake iron.  (Basically it is like making a very thin, mini pancake.  Then you roll it up around the rolling cone-or in my case a turkey baster.)

Here is the finished product.  To eat fill with whipped cream and topped with a cherry or strawberry.  DELICIOUS!!!

Tanner thought the whipped cream was mmm mmm good :)

Winter Wonderland

Yesterday we got more snow (surprise surprise).  This has been a snowy winter so far, which doesn’t bother me since all I really have to do is hang out at home and watch it fall.  Yesterday was so warm (20-25..warm by MN winter standards), so we took Tanner outside to play.  He loved it!!! 

White Trash Christmas

I am not one for sending out “typical” Christmas cards. (smiling family, everyone’s status/accomplishments, etc)  It’s just not my style.  Sooooo, here is our card from this year!!  Hope it makes you laugh :)

PS…Just to show how committed I am to being funny, those cigarette butts were making me gag with the awful smell, but I powered through and got the shot.  Now I know how those America’s next top model girls feel…haha.

Merry Christmas from the Northwoods-

Heidi

More Christmas goodies Recipes

Here are some more x-mas cookie recipes.  I have to admit I started getting bored with just making cookies that I had never made before so I mixed it up this week with some x-mas snack making too.  Don’t worry since I make the rules for the 12 days of Christmas cookies, it is now 12 days of Christmas COOKING…Tricky huh???  Here’s what I made yesterday:

Peppermint Shortbread Bites:

1C butter (softened)

1/2/cup powdered sugar

2 c Flour

1 tsp peppermint extract

1 tbsp sugar

3 oz almond bark

1/3 cup crushed candy canes/peppermint candies

1)beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.  Beat in flour and peppermint extract.

2) On ungreased cookie sheet (or parchment paper covered sheet), pat dough into 6-8inch square that is 3/4 inches thick.  Cover and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

3) Preheat oven to 325.   Cut square into 64 pieces and spread out on cookie sheet.

4) Bake 28-35 minutes until golden brown edges.

5) mix sugar and candy.  Pipe cookies with melted almond bark (using a baggie with the corner cut off) then sprinkle with sugar/candy mix.

Rating:

Ease: 10  so easy

Taste: 1o Christmasy pepperminting gooodness

Appearance: 10 very cute

Overall: 10 I am actually going to make more of these tomorrow.  I can see them becoming a quick favorite.

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Salted Nut Roll Bars

1 1/2 (16 oz.) jars dry roasted peanuts
1 (12 oz.) pkg. peanut butter chips
1 (10 1/2 oz.) pkg. mini marshmallows
3 tbsp. butter
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Melt butter and chips. Add sweetened condensed milk. Cook for 2 minutes. Put in 1/2 of marshmallows. Let them melt, then add other half. Grease pan, cover bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan with half of the peanuts. Add cooked mixture; spread. Then add rest of peanuts.

Ease: 10

Taste: 9

Appearance: 6

Overall: 8

Messy but DELICIOUS!!!!!

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Ranch Oyster Cracker Snack Mix

Ingredients

• 1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 5 cups oyster crackers

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the dressing mix, dill weed, vegetable oil, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. Add oyster crackers, and toss to coat. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring gently after 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool before serving.

These are some of my favorite snacks and SOOOOOO easy to make!!!  Kids love them too :)  I suggest bringing them to your next get together.

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Original Chex Mix

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal

3 cups Rice Chex® cereal

3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal

1 cup mixed nuts ( i used peanuts)

1 cup bite-size pretzels (I like pretzels so I add about 2 cups per batch)

1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces  (I skipped these)

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1) Mix Together cereal, nuts, pretzels, etc.  In a separate bowl melt butter and mix in remaining ingredients.

2)Pour butter and spices over cereal and stir well until all is coated.

3) Bake on 250 for 1 hour stirring occasionally

Who doesn’t LOVE chex mix???

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Buffalo Chicken Dip

• 2 (10 ounce) cans Chicken
• 2 (8 ounce) packets cream cheese
• 3/4 cup hot sauce (I use Frank's buffalo sauce)
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 2 cups mild cheddar cheese
• 2 loaves baguette
• celery

In a sauce pan mix chicken and hot sauce until heated through.

mix in cream cheese until melted

Add ranch dressing and one cup of cheddar cheese

Pour into crockpot, sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Keep on warm.

serve with sliced baguettes and cut up celery.  (also good with Tortilla chips)

This is a favorite of mine.  My friend Malinda makes it and I just had to make it for my family x mas today :)

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There- your recipe fix for the day!!!  I made ALL of this yesterday!!!!!  Can you believe it??  I hardly can myself.  Well, enjoy your Christmas cooking.  I’m off to get beautiful before leaving the house.  I don’t think my current attire of a ratty nightgown and robe will be appropriate for Paul’s family Christmas.

From the Northland-

Heidi

9 month Check up

I swear I am still alive....even if barely at times :) The crazy/wonderful life here in the Northland continues. Tanner had a NASTY bug that lasted almost a week (fever, aches, coughing, runny nose, etc) He is doing just fine now and getting over his after sickness whining.  However, he has passed his lovely germs/illness to me so I am suffering through now. He had his 9 month check yesterday in Duluth. His new pediatrician seems very nice. I am glad because she will be the baby's pediatrician too. Here are Tanner's stats- (He has really "thinned out" in the last couple months)

Height: 28 1/2 Inches 64%
Weight: 20 lbs 13 oz 59%
Head Cir: 18 1/2 in 92% (room for lots of brains)

Tanner is really asserting his independence.  He likes what he likes and lets you know it.  He likes standing against anything he can and thinks he is so cool when he does.  He is not quite crawling yet but is army crawling around like crazy.  He has two bottom teeth and more that seem to be ready to pop through anytime.  He LOVES to wrestle with Daddy and get into anything that he is not supposed to be in (cords, important papers, phones, etc).  If you leave it out, he WILL get into it.  It is really fun to play with him and see how he is growing everyday.  His favorite trick is "so big" and het gets a big smile and expects applause after he does it.  He sleeps through the night (9:30-7:30) only waking up occasionally.  Most of the time he is able to talk himself back to sleep.  It is cute to hear him babbling and playing at 2 in the morning.  Overall, he remains a very happy and loving baby who loves to play, laugh, and give kisses.  I love spending everyday with him so I can experience all his stages with him.  I am excited to have Deuce and give Tanner a playmate and best friend.

Speaking of baby #2 (Deuce), he/she has been giving me a little bit of a hard time.  Just when I think I am feeling better I will get a random wave of sickness that sends me running to the nearest sink or toilet.  It is still better than I felt with Tanner though.  With him I was sick all day/everyday until I hit 15 weeks or so.  I am  13 weeks today so hope/expect to start feeling better anytime now. ( I have been saying that for the last month and a half so it better happen soon)  Also, I have been EXTREMELY tired.  I am sure this nasty cold is not helping but I really struggle to get through the day with out passing out of exhaustion.  Even with the sickness I wouldn't trade being pregnant for anything.  I really enjoy it and seem to be "popping" out already with this little nugget.  I didn't start showing with Tanner until about 16-20 weeks.  I have busted out my maternity clothes already.  Hope it slows down or I will be as big as a house by month 7 :)

Today's agenda is to bake, and prep for Paul's family Christmas this weekend and ORGANIZE.  My lack of energy has left the house in ruins and in complete disarray.  Paul is VERY helpful with Tanner but doesn't quite possess the Martha Stewart style organization skills I prefer.  I still have cookie recipes to post too.  I have not forgotten so do not worry folks...

I hope all your holiday planning and prepping is coming along swimmingly....1 week till Christmas Eve...YIKES!!!!!!   1 WEEK...I am just realizing this...Better get to it

From the Northland-

Heidi

Mocha Crinkles

So when I started this 12 days of cookies I had the best of intentions of doing a type of cookies each day.  However, like usual life makes other plans.  Morning sickness, holiday visiting and a sick baby boy have upset my best laid plans.  Good thing I started on the 1st of December though because at the rate I am sure to finish 12 types of different and new Christmas cookies.  Today’s cookie recipe is:

MOCHA CRINKLES

1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream (I used regular)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp instant coffee

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1- Beat brown sugar and oil in medium bowl.  Mix in Sour Cream, egg and vanilla.  Set aside.

2-Mix flour, cocoa, coffee, baking soda, salt and pepper in another medium bowl.

3-Add flour mixture to brown sugar mixture; mix well. Refrigerate dough until firm (3-4 hours)

4-Preheat oven to 350.  Pour powdered sugar into a small bowl. Set aside.  Roll dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll balls in powdered sugar.

5-Bake on ungreased cookies sheets 10-12 minutes or until tops of cookies are firm to touch. (Do not over bake)

Rating:

Ease: 9

Taste: 9 They taste like coffee brownies…mmmm

Appearance: 9 very cute

Overall: 9 I would definitely make these again.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Today I had some catching up to do, since I took the weekend off from cookies.  Here are today’s days 3 and 4 of Christmas Cookies.   Days 5 and 6 will be posted later :)

Sour Cream Cookies (recipe from my mother-in-law)

2/3 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

3 cups flour

Sprinkles

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add sour cream and eggs then add dry goods and mix well.  Drop by tsp onto lightly greased or parchment paper covered pans.  Sprinkle with favorite decorations.  Bake @ 350 13-15 minutes.  **Note: Favorite nuts or chocolate chips can be added to the recipe if desired.**

Makes about 4 dozen

Rating:

Ease: 10 Drop cookies are soooo simple

Taste: 7 simple but good

Appearance: 7 nothing special but the sprinkles make it Christmassy

Overall: 8 Nothing too special but yummy and a nice addition to the Christmas cookie plate

 

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Pumpkin White Chocolate Drops

2 cups butter (softened)

2 cups sugar

1 can (16 oz) pumpkin

2 eggs

4 cups flour

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 bag (12 oz) white chocolate chips

1 container (16 oz) ready to spread cream cheese frosting

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Grease cookie sheets (or use parchment paper).  Beat Butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add pumpkin and eggs; beat until smooth.  Add flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and baking powder, beat until just well blended.  Stir in chips.

2. Drop cookies by tsp-fulls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.  Bake about 16 minutes or until set and bottoms are brown.  Cool 1 minute on sheets.  Remove from cookie sheets to frost then cool.

3. combine frosting and brown sugar in a small bowl.  Spread on warm cookies.

Makes 6 dozen (I got 7 1/2 from a single batch)

Rating:

Ease: 7 –The frosting adds an extra step.

Taste: 7- I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin bars but these taste very similar so good for pumpkin lovers.

Appearance: 7 –They are a little sloppy looking for my Martha Stewart wannabe taste.

Overall: Judging from the above scores…..7