Book Review

Finally! After 4 books and 849 pages in the final book, I have completed the Eragon series.
The last book Inheritance was probably my favourite. This series was pure fantasy... elves, dragon riders, dwarves and other creatures. There were a lot of battles but if you like this type of book, you would enjoy the series. AND I just saw the Author on Sugar Dome judging Dragon cakes so it's almost related to baking. Anyway, I was really happy to complete it because now I can start on a book I've had my mind on for some time... Night Circus.

 

This novel got really good reviews. It is the debut novel for its author and so far it has me intrigued.

 

I will let you know how it turns out. I'm reading much earlier in the year as I would like to meet my goal of 20 books (or more).





M & M Party Cookies

I was lucky enough to have my oldest nephew for a sleepover during Christmas Break. It is obvious that both my nephews are quite skilled in the kitchen even at a young age. They enjoy baking with their Mom and both my brothers are very good cooks. I'm glad this is something we can do together other then tubing at Chicopee. LOL.

We decided to make M & M Party cookies even though traditionally we like to make gingerbread together. (we will save that for another visit). These are a pretty standard cookie and I was happy to use up some of the candy I still have hanging around the house after the holidays.

 

The finished product...

  

 

 

M & M Party Cookies

 

1 cup shortening

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups M & M's (we added some chocolate chips, also)

 

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients.

Stir in add-ins. Bake at 350F,10 minutes or until lightly browned.

(I like soft cookies so I tend to underbake) Enjoy!



Homemade Snowman Christmas Card

With all the scrappers and cardmakers that I know, I only got one homemade Christmas card from my friend, Corrina.  I'm just as guilty as I did not send out a single, homemade card MYSELF!

I really liked this card. I am a fan of holly cut-outs and I loved the technique she used to glitter up the snowman. It comes on a sheet of peelable outlines, then she stuck it on a glue sheet, sprinkled with Glamour Dust and coloured with Copics. When I use this product, it always looks juvenile but I may have to try it again when I see how well hers turned out.

Some words to ponder

 

I happened upon this poem on a blog that I was reading recently. They said they found it folded up in the pages of an old bible. I thought it had a good message and wanted to pass it along.

 

"Now, Lord, you've known me a long time. You know me better then I know myself. You know that each day I am growing older and someday may be very old, so meanwhile please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

 

Release me from trying to straighten out everyone's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not overbearing. I've a certain amount of knowledge to share: still it would be nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognized and forgave the knowledge I lacked.

 

 

Keep my tongue from the recital of endless details. Seal my lips on my aches and pains: they increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes almost a compulsion. I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others' afflictions and to be helped to endure them with patience.

 

I would like to have improved memory, but I'll settle for growing humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasion I might be mistaken.

 

Keep me reasonably kind; I've never aspired to be a saint... saints must be rather difficult to leave with... yet on the other hand, an embittered old person is a constant burden.

 

Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so, dear Lord."

 

 

Some thought provoking words to ponder. Wouldn't it be interesting to meet the person who wrote this? 

Peanut Butter M & M Bark

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You may be sick of candy at this time of year but this is a really good one to make and give away if you need a little thank-you. I had a freak accident at work and tripped on my lanyard attached to my data key and ripped the innards out. Fortunately, we have a great computer guy who was able to retrieve my files. Sadly the data key is history. Maybe he should work for Blogger.

 

 There has been a real problem uploading photos for some people including me. I'm well on my way with my goal to become more computer savy because I figured out it wasn't a problem on my end and I'm using another method to retrieve the photos.  Enough computer talk, on to the candy. Here's what you will need (other then iron discipline to not eat the candy yourself)

 

Peanut Butter M&M Bark 

1.5 pounds white chocolate wafers

1 tsp. cooking oil

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter M & M's

Line a baking sheet with foil. Melt white chocolate on low heat in a heavy saucepan with 1 tsp. cooking oil. Stir in peanut butter until melted. Pour onto foil. Melt chocolate chips and spread on top and swirl into peanut butter mixture with a knife. Immediately sprinkle on M&M's. Place in fridge to set. Cut or break into pieces.  

Twelve in Twelve

So let's recap how things went for the 12 in 12. The goal was to make a list of things that I wanted to do, not things I SHOULD do, like lose weight, exercise more, eat better, keep the house cleaner, invest in TFSA's. These are things that I WANTED to do and a list to help me remember them better.
It really helped me to be more mindful... read more, use more of my endless scrapbooking supplies, try and become more knowledgeable on the computer by blogging etc.

I didn't make an afghan or start a Heritage Album and I probably didn't use all my purchases within 30 days but I accomplished more then I expected to. This year, I'm going to use my friend Robin's idea and use a Smash book to keep track of my 13. Nothing formal, cuz that's not what its all about.

You can see my list on the sidebar. Just simple achievable goals to accomplish in the upcoming year.
I hope you are inspired to join us for the 13 in 13. It's a lot of fun to see what other people have come up with and to help them achieve their goals too. Good luck everyone.

Sugar Cookies

I had my little buddy helping out in the kitchen this week. He did the measuring, the mixing and the cutting and decorating of the sugar cookies. The dough was a little soft (I have some doubts about the measuring and I see a fair quantity of flour that didn't make it into the bowl on someone's clothing) but the cookies turned out great and taste fantastic piled with icing and decorations.
Here they are going into the oven, there was a wide assortment of themes happening from dog bones to reindeer....

and here are the final masterpieces, each one carefully produced for best effect...

And the LAST cookie, could it be, we had run out of icing?

Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup soft shortening (part butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)

Cream shortening and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla.
Add sugar, mixing until creamy. Sift together dry ingredients and add to wet
mixing thoroughly. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Roll out chilled dough
and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350F approx. 10 minutes.
Ice and smother with decorations as desired.
Enjoy.