Today has always been a day of reflection for me. I'm sitting here, leaning against the wall with Jazzy curled up next to me. My family is here, just talking about random things. David and I were up late last night finishing up our wrapping. Our family joined us for a wonderful day!
I miss my grandparents terribly. No, it's not the first Christmas without them. But, for the first time - I used their salt/pepper shakers, their oven mitts, bathroom towels, and reindeer sheets that I bought Grandpa a few years ago. Our tree isn't the best, but it's ours.
We don't have a baby, or even a pregnancy, but we are in love, and we are together. Even though it's tough, things could be so much different. We are going to work hard to get pregnant this year. Next Christmas, we will hopefully have a baby to see Christmas.
I'll post pictures later. The dogs were treated by Grandma (my mom) with rawhides and toys. We also got them toys, raw hides, and a new bed. They have been chewing for over 2 hours, and our dinner was awesome. The biggest thing for us: we are together.
Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and spending time with your family. Here's to a wonderful 2009 and many more years and dreams to come.........
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Cherry-Almond Biscotti
Another recipe! This one is really good. The only thing was that it was more crumbly than I thought it should be, but it tastes good!
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 22
Preparation Time: 11 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Ingredients
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 cup(s) sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp table salt
1 large egg(s)
2 large egg white(s)
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup(s) dried cherries, chopped
1/3 cup(s) slivered almonds, toasted
1 spray(s) cooking spray
Instructions
* Preheat oven to 350°F.
* Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next four ingredients in a large bowl. Combine egg, egg whites, almond extract and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in cherries and almonds (dough will be dry and crumbly). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead five to six times. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 8-inch-long roll. Place rolls 4 to 5 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; flatten each roll to 1-inch thickness.
* Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Cut each roll diagonally into 1⁄2-inch slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool completely on wire rack. Yield: 22 servings (serving size: 1 cookie).
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 22
Preparation Time: 11 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Ingredients
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 cup(s) sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp table salt
1 large egg(s)
2 large egg white(s)
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup(s) dried cherries, chopped
1/3 cup(s) slivered almonds, toasted
1 spray(s) cooking spray
Instructions
* Preheat oven to 350°F.
* Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next four ingredients in a large bowl. Combine egg, egg whites, almond extract and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in cherries and almonds (dough will be dry and crumbly). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead five to six times. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 8-inch-long roll. Place rolls 4 to 5 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; flatten each roll to 1-inch thickness.
* Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Cut each roll diagonally into 1⁄2-inch slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool completely on wire rack. Yield: 22 servings (serving size: 1 cookie).
Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Center
Yet another Christmas recipe! I baked for 10 minutes and they were just a little overdone. 9 minutes is better. A little extra chocolate wouldn't hurt any (besides change the points), but that is coming from a Chocoholic!
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 30
Preparation Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 11 min
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 cup(s) sugar, granulated
1/4 cup(s) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) chunky peanut butter
2 large egg(s)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup(s) whole-grain wheat flour
1 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
* Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray or cover with parchment paper.
* Place sugar, butter and peanut butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; blend well with mixer.
* Add salt, baking soda and flour to sugar mixture; beat until completely incorporated.
* Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheets and flatten with the back of a wooden spoon. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie. (Bake in several batches to prevent over-crowding if necessary.) Place a chocolate chip in center of each cookie.
* Bake cookies until edges brown, about 10 to 11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 or 2 minutes; remove cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 30
Preparation Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 11 min
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 cup(s) sugar, granulated
1/4 cup(s) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) chunky peanut butter
2 large egg(s)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup(s) whole-grain wheat flour
1 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
* Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray or cover with parchment paper.
* Place sugar, butter and peanut butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; blend well with mixer.
* Add salt, baking soda and flour to sugar mixture; beat until completely incorporated.
* Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheets and flatten with the back of a wooden spoon. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie. (Bake in several batches to prevent over-crowding if necessary.) Place a chocolate chip in center of each cookie.
* Bake cookies until edges brown, about 10 to 11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 or 2 minutes; remove cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I graduated!
Well, I officially graduated with my Masters of Science in Education (concentrating in ESL/ELL) from UNO on Friday. My last two grades aren't in yet, but I know I passed them both!
I didn't make my personal challenge of getting to a size 12, but with David's accident and all the other stress, it's okay. The biggest thing for me was when we went shopping. I didn't have to guess what size to wear or go to the Women's section. 2 of the 3 dresses fit perfect ~ the one that didn't had a belt at the waist and my torso is so long that those types of dresses don't work well.
Here are some pics:
My dress! I felt so good in it!!
My daddy and I. Yes, at 26 years old, I am still the biggest daddy's girl in the world! He has supported me in everything - mistake or not - and is such a wonderful role model for me.
David and I! He gave me his jacket when I had to turn my gown in and then walk to the car. He does love me! :-)
The Masters' gowns had these wing like things so I kept saying I felt like Bat Man! As we were going from the basement of the Civic to the auditorium, I texted David and said "We're leaving the Bat Cave!" He laughed.
David's mom got me a cake. I ate way more of it than I should have, but, hell, it was my graduation! We tried to send it home with her but she wouldn't take it. It will probably end up getting thrown away because we won't be able to finish it!
So, now I have to figure out what to do in my spare time! David is going to finish his RN degree which should take about 2 years. Hopefully we'll get pregnant before he finishes and maybe I'll go back for my administration certificate...... But, for now, I'm going to enjoy relaxing and keeping my house clean!
I didn't make my personal challenge of getting to a size 12, but with David's accident and all the other stress, it's okay. The biggest thing for me was when we went shopping. I didn't have to guess what size to wear or go to the Women's section. 2 of the 3 dresses fit perfect ~ the one that didn't had a belt at the waist and my torso is so long that those types of dresses don't work well.
Here are some pics:
My dress! I felt so good in it!!
My daddy and I. Yes, at 26 years old, I am still the biggest daddy's girl in the world! He has supported me in everything - mistake or not - and is such a wonderful role model for me.
David and I! He gave me his jacket when I had to turn my gown in and then walk to the car. He does love me! :-)
The Masters' gowns had these wing like things so I kept saying I felt like Bat Man! As we were going from the basement of the Civic to the auditorium, I texted David and said "We're leaving the Bat Cave!" He laughed.
David's mom got me a cake. I ate way more of it than I should have, but, hell, it was my graduation! We tried to send it home with her but she wouldn't take it. It will probably end up getting thrown away because we won't be able to finish it!
So, now I have to figure out what to do in my spare time! David is going to finish his RN degree which should take about 2 years. Hopefully we'll get pregnant before he finishes and maybe I'll go back for my administration certificate...... But, for now, I'm going to enjoy relaxing and keeping my house clean!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Carob Oatmeal Bars
Here's another dog-friendly recipe. Carob is dog-safe "chocolate." Yes, people eat it ~ I found it in the health food section at HyVee. I also cut the bars smaller than it says and used a smaller rectangle pan instead of square to get more treats.
Ingredients
~ 1/4 cup vegetable oil
~ 1/4 cup honey
~ 2 eggs
~ 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
~ 1/4 cup water
~ 1 cup whole wheat flour
~ 1/2 tsp baking powder
~ 2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
~ 1/4 cup carob chips
In a medium bowl, mix all the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, and mix well. Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. The bars are done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and cut into 2 inch squares.
Ingredients
~ 1/4 cup vegetable oil
~ 1/4 cup honey
~ 2 eggs
~ 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
~ 1/4 cup water
~ 1 cup whole wheat flour
~ 1/2 tsp baking powder
~ 2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
~ 1/4 cup carob chips
In a medium bowl, mix all the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, and mix well. Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. The bars are done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and cut into 2 inch squares.
Peanut Butter Apple Cookies
This is a dog-safe recipe. Last year, my mom got me a cook book for dogs called Doggy Desserts. No, I don't make treats very often, but when I do, the dogs love them! People can eat them too, but they are pretty bland.
I'm giving these to all the puppies in our lives!
Ingredients
~ 1 apple, chopped, with skin and core removed
~ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
~ 1/4 cup all natural peanut butter, no salt or sugar added (I used Smucker's Organic)
~ 1/4 cup honey
~ 1 egg
~ 2 cup whole wheat flour
~ 1/2 cup water
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients. With a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes. When done, the cookies should be firm to touch. Turn the oven off, and leave the cookies in for 1-2 hours to harden (I didn't do this part because I wanted them to be a little softer).
I'm giving these to all the puppies in our lives!
Ingredients
~ 1 apple, chopped, with skin and core removed
~ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
~ 1/4 cup all natural peanut butter, no salt or sugar added (I used Smucker's Organic)
~ 1/4 cup honey
~ 1 egg
~ 2 cup whole wheat flour
~ 1/2 cup water
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients. With a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes. When done, the cookies should be firm to touch. Turn the oven off, and leave the cookies in for 1-2 hours to harden (I didn't do this part because I wanted them to be a little softer).
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Okay, so I think this was my favorite of the 4. The caramel melted really nicely ~ a couple melted a little onto the pan ~ and the cookies were so soft and moist!!! Definitely gonna be making more of these! You definitely need to plan more time to chill though. I gave it 45 minutes and it wasn't enough. I did it anyways, and it was messy. So, maybe a couple hours would be better. Oh, and I used the back of a spatula to get the caramel flat (it was easier than using my hand and "kneading" it).
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 24
Preparation Time: 18 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Ingredients
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
2/3 cup(s) sugar
1/4 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine
1/4 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese
1 large egg white(s)
2 tbsp fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 spray(s) cooking spray
24 piece(s) caramel candies
24 pieces pecan halves
Instructions
* Combine flour and cocoa in a small bowl; set aside. Beat together sugar, margarine, cream cheese, egg white, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl; add flour mixture and blend well. Chill dough at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
* Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
* Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on baking sheets about 1 to 2 inches apart. Press a caramel into each cookie and flatten; top each caramel with a pecan half. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 24
Preparation Time: 18 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Ingredients
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
2/3 cup(s) sugar
1/4 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine
1/4 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese
1 large egg white(s)
2 tbsp fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 spray(s) cooking spray
24 piece(s) caramel candies
24 pieces pecan halves
Instructions
* Combine flour and cocoa in a small bowl; set aside. Beat together sugar, margarine, cream cheese, egg white, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl; add flour mixture and blend well. Chill dough at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
* Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
* Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on baking sheets about 1 to 2 inches apart. Press a caramel into each cookie and flatten; top each caramel with a pecan half. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.
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