Biscotti

Well, here is another new tasty baking experience to share with you and to add to my ever growing list of items backed for the Christmas season. Last night I made Cranberry-Chocolate Chip Biscotti. Sounds good, huh? I'm here to say that it not only sounds good, it looks and tastes good. I was a bit worried about the dough at first, didn't really meld together like I'm used to with other cookie or dessert recipe's but I forged on (with the encouragement of my dad who came over last night to put up lights on my balcony). The bottom got a teeny-tiny bit burnt on but I think overall they turned out just fine. I can't wait to make them again. Check 'em out.

Linda, who is one of my favorite food reviewers, said they turned out delicious (I love watching her eat what I make, she makes it look so good). Anyway, making biscotti is so much easier than I ever imagined. If you have ever thought about making it yourself but haven't yet because you thought it might be too hard, give it a try. Really, it's super easy and will them make a great little treat you can have on hand when guests come over and even give away as a Christmas gift (maybe drizzle some white chocolate over the tops of these...oooo, that sounds good!). That is one great thing about biscotti, there are so many different things you can do with them like putting stuff on top after they have baked or put different things in the mix like almonds or ginger. There are endless options here folks, just try out your favorite. :)

A little fact that Donna told me this morning is that Biscotti means "twice baked." Interesting. I actually baked mine three times but I won't tell them that.

COOKIES and a random picture

Well, last night I made Oatmeal chocolate peanut butter chip cookies. I told you I was going to be baking more. And now I've also decided I'm going to try and show you everytime I make something new. Yay! :) Okay, maybe I'm the only excited but I sure am excited!

Oh, and here is someone that is not so excited. My dad emailed me this picture yesterday that was taken at Christmas last year.He may hate that I put this up but it just cracks me up everytime I see it and I wanted to share it with all of you out there in blogger land.

Christmas baking

Well, I have begun my Christmas baking. hahaha I say that and it sounds like every year I do all this Christmas baking, but don't let me fool you. This is the first time I've really done anything like this. It's definitely my first time to make brittle (Walnut Brittle) which was so easy and SO GOOD!! I also made these oh so yummy and festive looking chocolate cupcakes that I will be making for my family to enjoy on Christmas day (probably with some ice cream). But I had so much fun making these two treats that I cannot wait to make more yummy things to share during the holiday season. :) And that is what I mean when I say "I have begun my Christmas baking." Hopefully, it will become a tradition for me. :) Oooo, my own little tradition, I love it.

Girls Night Out and a beautiful Sunrise

Kristin, Beks, Jamie and I went out a few weekends ago for a night on the town. We went to the Dragonfish (in the Paragon Hotel) for dinner and then to the...the...well, hmmm, I can't remember where we went after that but it was a fun place. :) It was a fun evening and I had a blast! Jenny, me, and Kristin

Beks having a blast and two different kinds of sake (one is pear infused and one is rasberry infused)...interesting flavors.

not a great picture on my part, but here is Beks attempting to eat her eel with only her chopsticks...she did quite well.

Jamie, me, and Jenny...real smiles.

Also, changing directions...yesterday was an absolutely beautiful sunrise that I just had to snap some pictures to share with you all (sorry if they aren't that great).

Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by

Hi friends!

Hey everyone. I don't have anything to say really but it has been awhile since I posted last so I thought I would say hello and let you know that things are going quite well.

Here is a story for you...

Today at work, Ruthie needed half&half for her coffee but there was none in the fridge in the mail room. She, being the random sweety that I just cherish, turned to me and said she would time me to see how long it took me to run to the kitchen and and back and grab a new half&half carton. I, being the crazy runner who jumps at a challenge, took off a-runnin'. I made it back in 1 minute and 14 seconds (she might have to correct me, I was huffing and puffing when she told me the time so I didn't quite catch it all). It was fun. :) I love random things like that. Next time it will have to be a race with someone. :)


Let's see...oh, I think everyone should do one good thing for environment. Doesn't have to be huge but if we all did just one thing to help it really would make a difference. I heard that statement from a very dear friend of mine who said her one thing is to buy laundry and dish detergent in that is more concentrated but comes in smaller containers. Mine is to not use the plastic bags at grocery stores. I have a plethora of cloth sacks and bags that I have collected from Fred's and Trader Joes, to name a few, and from a website called Reusable Bags (check it out, they sell A LOT of stuff and they make for great gifts). If I don't have those on hand I try to remember (notice I said "try to remember") to ask the person helping me to put my stuff in a paper bag. Once I had them re-bag it for me. But it was great because I got to explain to the young checker what my deal was and he totally got it (well, at least pretended for my benefit). There are some crazy, expensive and time consuming ideas out there but all you need to do it find something that you know you can actually accomplish on some sort of regular basis, you could make a difference. :) Call me a tree-hugger, I don't care. Here are a few different places you can check out to get some simple, easy ideas:
Making a difference
Green Living tips

And here are a couple websites that you might find interesting:
National Geographic
Green Living

Lastly, here are a few pictures from way back in September when Roxanna and Sophia came to town:
Sophia eating her soybeans, but really wanting the chocolate

Sophia just realized her mommy is gone and she has to spend the evening with us (my dad, my friend Holli, and me)

Sophia playing on the rocking stool (I admit, I love it too)

Holli and Sophia reading a book (if you look closely, you can see Sophia multitasking by talking on her cell at the same time)

And Sophia and I playing around on the trampoline

So, this entry is long and all over the place...sorry.

:) Tabs out