Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Baby Changes Everything

Last Sunday, my church put on a play called "A baby changes everything" (I think).  It was a good production and the Choir did a great job.

They sung this song as well as show the video on the screens.  What a powerful song.


As you think about the title, "A baby changes everything".  I think about in the physical realm.  When a a newborn or baby is around, people get happy.  They become more child-like.  Families unite or come together after years of not talking.  New life is restored in some families that have been dead.

As I go through life sometimes wondering why I am here and what am I suppose to do....Jesus was born and he knew he was going to die for an underserving nation.

I have my moments of shopping too much but I'm so thankful that I know why we celebrate Christmas.  I have a family that understand that it's not about presents but about the gift that was given to us.  Jesus.

Think about how life would be different if he didn't come.
Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Ornament Exchange

So this weekend, I participated in a cookie and ornament exchange.  I thought since my cookie exchange post was soo long.  I would write a different post regarding the ornament exchange.

I had high hopes of making an ornament to give out but time really wasn't on my side.  It's normally busy for social workers around this time and with it being dark when I get off, I have no motivation to do anything but SLEEP!

So as I went searching for an ornament that would be "that" perfect one.  I found one, well it was a three in one.  It was three different ornaments that said, believe, hope, and peace.  It was silver and glittery.  I really liked it that I bought the set to give one to my mom, dad, and sister in their stockings.

So we picked gifts based on first names.  As I sat and waited for my name to be called, I had my eye on this box.


As I was waiting and watching the other ladies open their gifts, I was praying that no one would pick this box.  It just reminded me of Christmas.  I acted just like a little kid, I helped the process along.  Until it was my turn, they said who's next?  Me!  I shouted so excitedly. 

I opened it up and there were two ornaments.  A snowman with a pie in hand as a symbol of our cookie exchange and a pickle.



Attached to the pickle was...

The Christmas Pickle Story

Which read: In Old World Germany, the last decoration placed on the Christmas Tree was always a pickle...carefully hidden deep among the branches.  Legend has it that whoever found it on Christmas morning was blessed with a year of good fortune and a special gift.

I love traditions.  It's times like these that I really wish I was married with kids.  This year I've been finding so many fun crafts, activities and traditions to do and start.  But it's no fun by yourself.

If you are wondering where to get a pickle for your family, try Pier 1 imports.

**Merry Christmas**

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Cookie Exchange: No Bake Cake Batter Truffles & Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar

 Yesterday, I participated in my first ever cookie exchange.  I was so excited.  There was only two rules.  We had to bring 3 dozen of cookies and they must be homemade (No store bought or pre-made dough).

A hunting I went to look for something "easy".  I don't consider myself an expert my any means but I do loke to try new recipes and have other people try them.

Thanks to Pinterest, I found my two recipes.
          1. No Bake Cake Batter Truffles courtesy of Chef in Training  and
          2. Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar courtesy of Kevin and Amanda

This is also my first virtual cookie exchange.  You too can link up.  

NO BAKE CAKE BATTER TRUFFLES
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup yellow cake mix
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3-4 Tablespoons milk
  • 2 Tablespoons sprinkles
Truffle Coating:
  • 16 ounces (8 squares) almond bark (or white candy melts)
  • 4 Tablespoons yellow cake mix
  • sprinkles
Beat together butter and sugar using an electric mixer until combined. Blend in vanilla.

First time I used this mixer my mother gave me.  I had always wanted one a mixer and it came with a bowl and everything.  I was super excited.
 Add cake mix, flour, salt, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add 3 Tablespoons of milk or more if needed to make a dough consistency.

I had meatballs in the little crockpot cookin'
Mix in sprinkles by hand. Roll dough into one inch balls and place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill balls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.

While dough balls are chilling, melt almond bark in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir between intervals. Once melted, quickly stir in cake mix until incorporated completely.

Using a fork, dip truffles into almond bark and shake of excess bark by tapping the bottom of the fork on the side of your bowl. Place truffle back on the cookie sheet and top with sprinkles.

 

Repeat with remaining balls until finished. {Note: for smoother looking truffles, don't add cake mix to melted chocolate, just leave it by itself}


Chill cake batter truffles in the refrigerator until serving. Makes around 24-30 truffles.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n’ Oreo
Fudge Brownie Bar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 pkg Double Stuffed Oreos
1 Family Size (9×13) Brownie mix
1/4 cup hot fudge topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter and both sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well to thoroughly combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt, then slowly incorporate into the mixer until the flour is just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spread the cookie dough in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish that’s been lined with wax paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Top with a layer of Oreos.


When it's just you cooking, you can lick the bowl all by yourself.  It was nice!

Mix together brownie mix, adding an optional 1/4 cup of hot fudge topping to the mix (I did not do this step). Pour the brownie batter over the cookie dough and Oreos. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes.


I didn't get a real good picture of the finished product.  You can go to my friend's page to see the finished product when we made at her house.  Pam at It's My Life.

Christmas Cookie Countdown  Also linking to Branson's Cookie Countdown at My Reflection of Something.


Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wrap

I have a new best friend and her name is "CP", short for crockpot.  We have been doing alot of activities together and some more than once because it's so fun!

One of the things we can't do together is go out to eat, so....I bring the recipes to her and we try'em out.  I love me some chinese food and really like P.F. Chang but maybe go once a year if I'm lucky.

They have alot of tummy yummy's but something they are known for are their "Lettuce wraps".  I came across a recipe...wait, not just any recipe but a crockpot recipe for making these tummy fav's.  Stephanie @ A year of slow cooking [click for original recipe]is one of my new blog friends (well not new anymore, I've known her for a year now) but she doesn't know but we are like this...X.

I've made this recipe twice and would do it more but don't want to burn myself out.

Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wrap

What you need:

Not pictured: Lettuce and rice

10-15 Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (I used frozen)
3 Tbsp of minced garlic
4 Tbsp of dried onion flakes (or 1/2 chopped onion)
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup white cooking wine
1/2 Tsp ginger
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Dash of allspice

Directions:
  • Put chicken in crockpot topped with garlic and onion. 
  • In a mixing bowl, mix the liquid and spices.  Pour over chicken. 
  • Cover and cook on high for 6-8hrs.  I did stir a couple of times as chicken wanted to stick together.
  • Once done, you can chop chicken up inside crockpot or take out and chop, then put back in.
  • Serve over lettuce leaves.  I used a head of lettuce and chopped up but rumor has it that Trader Joe's sells them already separated (I haven't made it there yet).  I also added rice because they give you rice at PF Changs.


Enjoy, I sure did.  I would say it serves at least a family 4.