“Nothing gold can stay.” — Robert Frost
I’m gonna miss this.
– Debra
Sigh . . .
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Monthly Archives: October 2013
Mmm & Mmm Cookies
This chocolate chip cookie recipe is really good . Chewy and delicious!
1c. butter
2/3 c. sugar
1-1/3 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
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2-1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 pkg. M&Ms and 1/2 pkg. chocolate chips (Use all chocolate chips for the traditional recipe.)
Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to mixture. Stir in m&ms.
Bake at 350° for 12-15 min.
Say Mmm!
– Debra
“I think that I shall never see . . . “
” . . . a poem as lovely as a tree.” – Joyce Kilmer
My neighbors were probably wondering why I was lying in the middle of the yard this afternoon. It’s not something I normally do, but it’s a beautiful day, and I wanted to spend some time with my tree.
I bought my Autumn Blaze maple, better known as “Harriet,” seven years ago as a birthday present to myself. Why Harriet, you ask? I have no idea! It just came to me one day, and it stuck.
I looked it up, and the name Harriet means “ruler of the home.” Isn’t that fitting for a tree? My name, however, means “bee.” So Harriet gets to be queen and I’m just a little worker bee? Hey, who pays the bills around here anyway?!
Ok, so back to my point . . . I think it’s important that we afford ourselves the luxury of a few simple pleasures now and then. How many times as a child did you stare up at the blue, blue sky and let your imagination run wild? Why do we stop doing that? It’s fun!
I pledge to enjoy “the little things” in life more often, and I hope you will too. I really think it’s when we’re at our happiest.
So, go outside and hug a tree.
Oh, and don’t tell Queen Harriet, but she could use a trim!
– Debra
October Harvest
The last of the apples . . .
– Debra
Secret Stash
When you live in an older home with small rooms, some of the charm that made you fall in love with it (such as a built-in telephone nook), is also what makes it so challenging to decorate!
I’ve always loved farmhouse tables, but they tend to be over sized. That’s why I was excited to find this option from Pottery Barn. It couldn’t be more perfect for the space, and it fits against the wall between the living room and dining room without a millimeter to spare!
So what’s the secret? (Shhh . . . It’s not actually a table. It’s a desk!) And, it has a hidden drawer with multiple compartments to hide my little treasures.
How great is that?!
So, even if you’re decorating a small space, you can make it work by getting a little creative. It may turn out better than you think!
– Debra
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” – Ernest Hemingway
Hmmm . . . Let’s see what’s in my Little Free Library today.
I think the library could use a new look . . . I’m going to work on that!
UPDATE: Years in harsh elements definitely required a remodel and the library has been updated a few times since my first post.
Here’s what the library looks like today:
— Debra
Loretta’s Sugar Cookies
Once in a while, you are blessed to meet a person with a truly giving spirit. Loretta was that person for my family and me.
Since my parents were transplants from another area, she adopted them, the four of us, and even my nieces when they came along. Not a holiday would go by without her dropping off a tin of her delicious sugar cookies, along with a multitude of other special treats.
This old fashioned cookie simply melts in your mouth with a lovely vanilla almond flavor that is wonderfully unique.
Occasionally, Loretta would drizzle a thin glaze over the top and sprinkle them with colored sugar to dress them up for the season. We just loved them.
So, in honor of Loretta and her kind-hearted nature, I’m happy to share this treasured recipe along with my memories. Enjoy!
1 c. sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. Crisco
2 eggs
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
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4-1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1. Blend sugar and shortening. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl; add to mixture
3. Chill dough
4. Roll into balls.
5. Flatten onto cookie with patterned glass dipped in sugar.
6. Bake at 350° until browned on edges.
Cookie, cookie, cookie . . .
Cookies make me happy! Baking them, eating them, sharing them . . . If you’re like me, a good cookie can really turn your day around.
Can a cookie solve your problems? Of course not. But the simple act of stirring ingredients together to create something good may help you remember that life is pretty good too.
Don’t forget the sprinkles!
– Debra
