Top 3 Recipe Posts in 2016

 

 

Recipe posts are definately some of my favorite posts to write. Every recipe that I post has a story that goes along with it and I try to evoke the feeling of you cooking right along with me, in my kitchen. It's fun for me to try new recipes and share them with all of you.

I wasn't really surprised to see that the top three recipes are sweet treats, because that is my favorite kind of new recipe to try and usually turn into a lower sugar version, if possible. Sometimes I change the recipe by leaving out excess sugar, but usually I substitute Truvia as a sugar equivilent. As a diabetic, it's all things in moderation and by baking at home, I can indulge a little.

These three recipes are simple, sweet, seasonal and delicious. Any kind of fruit can be substituted for each recipe; even frozen if you can't find fresh fruit to your liking right now. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

 

Strawberry Shortcake Coffee Cake

 

2 Ingredient Fluff Cake

 

One Bowl Apple Plum Cake

 

See you in 2017!

 

Our Christmas in Photos

 

 

 

 

We are still celebrating all this week and the fun didn't stop on Christmas Day, but I wanted to stop in with a quick post on what I have been doing lately. First and foremost, it was so much fun having the girls home and together. After brunch at my brother's house and mass at our church, we had a quiet Christmas Eve with the girls in matching pajamas. We opened presents, watched Christmas movies in front of the fire and toasted the night with glasses of bubbly.

 

 

 

After a late night on Christmas Day, talking and laughing away the night with my husband's family, we were tired, but off again the day after Christmas to have a little fun cousin time. We went to an Escape Room and then out for pizza. Another fun night with family, creating even more memories.

 

 

Last night, the fun continued with my sister in laws big family. They invited us along to play bocce ball at an Italian American Club where we had a huge tournament that lasted until almost midnight. We missed having Megan there, since she had gone back to Pittsburgh for work, but Melissa and I were partners and while bad at bocce ball, we still had so much fun.

The plan is to go out to dinner again tonight before everyone leaves town, so the Christmas fun will continue just a bit longer. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Baking Day

 

 

 

My daughter had the day off work yesterday and she chose to spend it with me - baking cookies. How great is that!? We had a lot of fun mixing, baking, decorating and talking, all the while listening to Christmas music. I also took her to a nice lunch, where we had delicious food with a glass of prosecco and toasted our day together.

But, back to the baking. My Christmas baking is usually pretty traditional, but I decided to try some new recipes this year and Melissa found a recipe for cake balls that she wanted to attempt. We also made home made dog treats for all the dogs in our family. My puppy was the official taste tester and she definately approved of both the taste and the texture.

I really missed having Megan there too, and she will be here in two days, but we called her to let her know how much we wished she was with us. Christmas baking with my daughters was always an intregal part of our holiday traditions and when they no longer live at home and are busy working, it's hard to find the time. I will definitely keep this day as a special memory to add to all the others we've spent together in my kitchen.

 

Vanilla Cake Balls

 

Italian Ricotta Cookies

 

Peanut Blossoms - everyone has their own recipe and mine is from the cookbook my daughter's preschool put together while they attended.

 

Peanut Butter Cheerio Dog Treats

 

Have a wonderful Christmas. I will be spending lots of time over the next few days with family and I hope you all will be doing the same. I wish you much joy and happiness and appreciate your readership and kind words more than you know.

 

Gingerbread Coffee Cake

 

 

 

Christmas and the scent of gingerbread baking is such a holiday classic and I felt the need this morning to indulge in a sweet Christmas treat. I usually bake ginger cut out cookies from a treasured family recipe, but decided to try a few new recipes this year and save the cut out cookies for when we have little ones in our family again. But, I need that gingerbread flavor in something.

This gingerbread coffee cake is deliciously spicy and sweet, just like my favorite cookies. I already had all the ingredients in my pantry, so that is a win in itself - no extra trip to the store at this busy time of the year needed. And, it was perfect with my morning coffee on a cold, snowy Christmas week morning - served so prettily on one of my Christmas plates.

Happy Christmas baking!

 

Gingerbread Coffee Cake

 

3 cups flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

3/4 cup dark molasses

3/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup brown sugar (I used Splenda for baking)

1 stick butter, softened

Powdered Sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rectangular baking pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. In another large bowl add egg, molasses, applesauce, milk and brown sugar. Mix with hand mixer until combined. Add dry ingredients by 1/3 and mix well with each addition. Add softened butter and combine well. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 - 45 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool and sprinkle top generously with powdered sugar.

 

A Recipe for my Daughters - Ginger Cut Out Cookies

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Have a Daily Cup

Between Naps on the Porch

Skip To My Lou

Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

Momfessionals

 

It's The Holiday Season

 

 

 

It's definately the holiday season around here. This has been a busy week so far, of holiday parties and lunches and it will continue into this weekend. But, isn't that what makes Christmas such a special time of the year - all the holly, jolly festive atmosphere and spending time with friends and family?

First, one of my friends hosted a beautiful lunch at her new home and it was just a lovely way to spend a few hours on a Tuesday. She served pretty champagne cocktails, a creamy potato soup and an amazing salad of fresh fruit and chicken salad with grapes and cashews. We talked and laughed about life and enjoyed each other's company so much.

 

 

 

The next day, my husband and I took a little road trip to a German style town about an hour away that is famous for their family style chicken dinners. It is also the home of the world's largest Christmas store, so they are all about celebrating the season. It's very touristy, but we love going there to eat some yummy home style, German food. The weather even added to to atmosphere, and if you look closely, it was snowing pretty heavily by the time we finished lunch.

 

 

 

Last night, my book club decided to do things a little differently this year and we made an outing of our holiday get together. First we went to the newest craze around here - an escape room. You are locked in a room and have one hour to solve clues and "escape". We had a great time and it definately required teamwork. Later, we went out to dinner (and wine) at a wood fired pizza restaurant. The atmosphere was great and we had a fabulous waiter that spoiled us with great service and even a decadant chocolate dessert on the house. We laughed a lot and enjoyed celebrating our friendship.

Tonight is my progressive holiday bunco party and tomorrow is a neighborhood party, so the Christmas fun continues.

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Winter Reading List

 

 

Out of all the blog posts that I write, these reading list posts are the ones I look forward to writing the most. And, I love to read these kinds of posts too. It's really a simple thing to understand, because you see, books are my passion. I love to contemplate reading a book, almost as much as actually reading the book itself. To read the reviews and what other readers think and in turn decide if a book is for me. Over the years, I have become a pretty good judge of what I like, and I rarely choose I book I can't get through. Of course, some are better than others, but that's the thrill of reading. You never know when you might discover a new favorite book that becomes impossible to put down. And, now writing this blog, I have a forum for my excitement in sharing a good book. It's like a big book club, that everyone is welcome to join.

Winter really is the perfect time to get caught up on your reading list. The long, cold nights are made for a good book, a cozy blanket and something warm to drink. I'm pretty busy right now and will be even busier in January and February finalizing the details of putting our house on the market, but that won't stop me from reading. I'll snatch the chance to read a few chapters here and there and it's always how I end my day. It's just a part of me and a big part of who I am. Yes, I'm that girl who always has her nose in a book and that's ok.

 

A book about a book club and favorite books sounds perfect for me. I will be reading this one next.

 

A group of women in Italy meet weekly to cook, eat and discuss life, food and friendship.

 

I read another book by this author and enjoyed the midwifery stories, so this should also be a good read.

 

Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are finally back and that makes me happy. I love a good British police procedural and this series is one of the best.

Happy reading!

 

Winter White Peppermint Baked Doughnuts

 

 

 

A snowy morning seemed a good time to make some fun, snow inspired, baked doughnuts. I am having so much fun with my doughnut pan and there are so many recipes with unique or seasonal flavors to try. And, the best thing about making your own doughnuts at home, is that I can control the ingredients and sugar content if I wish. These have icing made with powdered sugar, but I could easily leave that off if I choose and I always use Truvia when I bake to lower the suger amount.

The icing has a hint of peppermint extract, perfect for the winter season and the white sprinkles give these doughnuts a sophisticated, yet fun touch. I have seen snowflake sprinkles at the store and they would be even more fun and whimsical. I'm having one with my coffee this morning, but they would also pair perfectly with a mug of hot chocolate for a fun winter treat. If you don't have a doughnut pan, you don't know what you are missing :-)

Happy Friday!

 

Winter White Peppermint Baked Doughnuts

 

For Batter

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar (I used Truvia)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup milk

1/4 tsp lemon juice

2 beaten eggs

2 T melted butter

 

For Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

3 T milk

1/4 tsp peppermint extract

 

White sprinkles

 

Add lemon juice to milk (makes buttermilk). Spray doughnut pan with cooking spray. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Add beaten eggs, milk and melted butter. Mix until just combined. Fill each ring (6) of doughnut pan to top, leaving center hole open. Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until tops spring back when pressed. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove and place on wire rack. In a small bowl that will allow doughnuts to be dipped, combine icing ingredients and stir until smooth. Dip the tops of doughnuts in icing and sprinkle with decorations one at a time. Enjoy!

 

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Have a Daily Cup

Between Naps on the Porch

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

Momfessionals

Christmas Sparkle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems that every year I go a little more simple with my Christmas decorations. I am drawn to less red, with more neutral colors becoming the star. Still a lot of sparkle and also a lot of white lights and gold for more subtle tones. There are natural elements too, with the use of pine cones and greenery that provide a strong base for the sparkle.

As I was emptying my Christmas boxes this year and deciding what to keep and what might look good in a Florida house, it was the more neutral decor that was winning out, rather than the traditional Christmas colors. My style in Florida will be beachy and modern and I will be leaving my more traditional tastes behind. Like everything else it will take a bit of adjustment for it all to fall into place. But, I think the sparkle will stay.

Happy Tuesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Have a Daily Cup

Between Naps on the Porch

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

Momfessionals

 

Starting Out The Holiday Season

 

 

 

 

My calendar is full already with holiday gatherings and we started out the season last night with a lovely dinner at our club. There is a private room that can be reserved and it is a wonderful and intimate spot for a dinner with friends. The room was beautifully decorated for Christmas with trees in each corner and sparkling touches of red and gold throughout. The candles were lit on the table when we walked in and the atmosphere made us relax and look forward to a nice evening.

We have made good friends here and most have a connection to our parish school and all the years we were involved with our children. Those experiences; working on auctions, musical theatre, parent teacher boards and even just playground duty, really do bring you close and create bonds that will last. We may not see everyone as often as we once did, but that connection will always be there and we pick right up where we left off the last time we saw each other.

I'm positive that when we move to Florida that I will make new friends and get involved in something, because that is just the kind of person I am. But, it will require a little more effort in some ways, because there will be no children creating that instant connection. It is comforting to know that even with changes ahead, I will always have these friends rooting us on from afar and hopefully coming to visit on any Florida trips they take in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend!