Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Strawberry Freezer Jam

This post has been moved to Evolve: https://www.livegrowgive.org

In Bloom

This morning after I walked my kids to school and was watering my flowers I was so excited to see that my Peonies were opened up and in full bloom! I snapped some pictures to share with you :)

Monday, May 20, 2013

Surprise Recipe Swap: Coconut Oil Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

My Surprise Recipe Swap match was Melissa @ Persnickety Plates. I chose to make her recipe for Coconut Oil Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Coconut Oil Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp coconut oil, at room temperature

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 cup dark chocolate chips (1 used 1/2 cup)

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt stirring to combine.

In a Kitchen Aid or medium bowl with an electric mixer cream the coconut oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until light and a smooth texture about 2-3 minutes.

Add the egg and mix well until light and fluffy. In two additions add in the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until the flour is incorporated.

Fold in the chocolate chips. (I used Ghirardelli chocolate chips which were huge, next time I would chop them into smaller pieces. Melissa used Nestle which look like regular sized chips.)

Drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a medium scoop or rounded Tablespoonfuls. Space well, the dough spreads a lot.

Bake for about 8-12 minutes until the cookies are set and they are just starting to brown.

Let cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies.

I made 1 dozen cookies and then used my cast Iron Cookie Skillet to make a large cookie (baked about 15-20 minutes) to give as a teacher appreciation gift. It was all I could do not to add a big ol' scoop of ice cream and devour it while it was nice and warm.

I had to laugh at my son. He took a bite then said these are different than you usually make what kind of chocolate did you use? Then he left, a few minutes later came back an took another one, then another one. After 4 I had to cut him off and hide them if I wanted to get any! Crazy kid :)

This Recipe was Shared @:

Monday: Surprise Recipe Swap, Manic Monday, Craftastic Monday, Made by You Monday’s, Market Yourself Monday, Monday Funday, Mad Skills Party, Monday Link Party, Give Me the Goods, Tried and True Recipes, Mop it Up Monday, Make the Scene Monday, Piggy in Polka Dots, Mommy Monday’s, Marvelous Monday’s
Tuesday: In and Out of the Kitchen, Tuesday Talent Show, Two Cup Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesdays, Get your Craft On, All My Bloggy Friends, Take a Look Tuesday, Moonlight and Mason Jars, Handmade Tuesdays, Empty Your Archive, Tasty Tuesday’s, Tasteful Tuesday, Brag About it Tuesday, Pin it Tuesday
Wednesday: Let’s Pour Tea

Friday, May 17, 2013

Craftsy Free Class Day!

Craftsy Free Class Day!

Have you checked out Craftsy? It is such a great site. You can take online classes to improve your crafting skills in Cake decorating, crocheting, embroidery, food and cooking, home and garden, jewelry, knitting, paper crafts, quilting, sewing, spinning, and weaving.

For one day only, new members can choose one FREE course from a selection of favorite Craftsy classes, up to a $39.99 value! If you haven't taken a Craftsy class yet, Saturday May 18th is your chance to sign up for your first by choosing from classes in quilting, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, and more.

If Craftsy meets their goal of giving away 10,000 classes, they will donate $5,000 to DonorsChoose to fund arts education in public schools across the US. Existing members are not eligible for the free course offer, but will still receive a special treat.

Pretty Awesome! Check it out!

I just Signed up for Classic Croissants at Home! For FREE! I am so excited I can't even tell you :)
I will be posting my projects when they are completed!
http://www.craftsy.com/project/course/classic-croissants-at-home?_ct=fhevybu-vuut-junj-wqbbuho&_ctp=106

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Great Idea Thursday's - 6

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Thank you so much for joining me for another fabulous week! I hope all you wonderful ladies enjoyed your Mother's (Celebrate Women's) Day :) I love seeing all your amazing ideas. Ya'll make blogging fun!

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Great Idea Thursday's #6

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This is what I made this week: Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Sometimes the best things are the simple things. One of my go to Cook Books is the Joy of Cooking book I inherited from my Dad that he has had since before I was born. Whenever you start with a good base you are almost guaranteed good results. These muffins raised beautifully and tasted great. I loved the cinnamon Streusel but I left some plain because my husband prefers them that way. With or without the topping, these muffins are a great way to start the day!

Print Recipe

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup milk
1 cup blueberries
3 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp softened butter

Preheat the oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.

In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs. Then add the milk and butter, stirring well. Combine the liquid and dry ingredients, mixing only until all the flour is incorporated.