Little♥Hyuts: 2012-04-15

Friday, April 20, 2012

'Ol Fashioned Molasses Cookies

Courtesy of Grandma Marjorie Thomas

These Molasses Cookies were from a recipe a friend's grandmother gave me before she passed away.

Their subtle spice and deliciously chewy center make these a favorite of mine year round.

Here's what you do:

1 C butter softened

1/2 C Shortening

2 C Casting Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 C Molasses

4-1/2 C All-purpose Flour

4 Tsp Ground Ginger

2 Tsp Baking Soda

1-1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1 Tsp Ground Cloves

1/4 Tsp Salt

3/4 C Turbinado Sugar

1: In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. ( You may choose to use all butter or all shortening. Enlightened Cooking has a great post on butter vs. shortening) http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/04/butter-vs-shortening-in-baking.html

2. Combine the flour, ginger,baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium sized bowl. (I usually sift together my ingredients all though it is not necessary.) Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

3. Shape dough into 2-in. balls and roll in Turbinado Sugar. Place them 2-1/2 in. apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 400 for 13-15 mins. (Oven time will vary. My oven is old and the temp is always hotter than what it says.) Remove to wire racks to cool.

4. ENJOY ^^

The Mosswoods By Astrid Yrigollen

A friend of mine recently wrote a great book for YA readers!

The Mosswoods is available for both NOOK and Kindle!

And please check out the author's page as well!

http://www.astridyrigollen.com

Back of Book:

Poppy Mosswood like most 17 year olds wants to lead a normal life. But the Mosswood family is anything but normal. Keepers protect the land from humans who would exploit it. For in the forest dwell wondrous creatures and dangerous beings. Beings that would love nothing more but to overthrow all of mankind. Ruthless billionaire Preston Buckthorn moves to town planning to marry Poppy to his son Brad. Brad wastes no time trying to win her heart but his love is warped by the taint that runs in his blood.
As Poppy is taken in by Brad's charms the appearance of a handsome stranger from the forest awakens her heart even though it is forbidden by both their worlds. From his long dark green hair to his piercing eyes, Ashtel is beautiful and powerful. He feels the danger that has emerged to threaten both of their worlds.

Torn between pledging herself as a Keeper, Brad and Ashtel, Poppy is unaware of the true identity of Preston Buckthorn and that his sinister plan includes much more then just owning Mosswood forest.

Review:

I love the way the author created the world of Mosswood forest. The people and creatures that dwell inside are imaginative yet believable. She did an excellent job of weaving it together with our modern world.

The main character struggles with finding a balance between her family's wishes and her own.

This is something I could relate to and I am sure others will too!

This book does need some fine tuning and corrections.

But overall I enjoyed it immensely and can not wait for the sequel!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Apricot Thumbprint Cookies ^^

I had an inkling for something sweet after dinner and decided to whip up a couple batches of these:

These cookies are easy to make and have just the right amount of springtime flavor!
Here's what to do:

1C Butter (Softened)
1/2C Casting Sugar (Bakers Sugar)
1Tsp Almond Extract
2C All Purpose Flour
1/2Tsp Salt
6Tbs Apricot Preserves/Jam
*optional* 1/4C plus 3Tbs sesame seeds

Dough/ Without Jam/With Jam/Out of the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400. In large bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the extract. Combine flour and salt in a smaller bowl. Gradually add to the creamed
mixture. Mix well. (The dough will be slightly crumbly)
Roll into 1-inch balls. If you choose to add sesame seeds you may then roll in
the seeds.
Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Make an indentation in the center of each ball. (I like to use the rounded side of Tsp size measuring spoon)
Fill with the jam. (Feel free to substitute apricot for strawberry, raspberry ect.)
Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove to wire rack to cool.

And of course ENJOY! ^^

Tea Time!

Currently I am waiting for my acceptance into POTTERMORE!!

www.pottermore.com

Unfortunately it can take quite awhile. I think I fancy a cup of tea.

"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot. . ."-JLP USS Enterprise

Sunday, April 15, 2012

My Luanne

My first try at posting on my blog! How exciting ^^

This is our (me and my hubby's) baby girl Luanne.
Isn't she a ham.
Were off to a BBQ at our C mother's.
Maybe I will actually be able to work on this thing when we get home.