Monday, December 14, 2009

Puppy Chow!

No, not actual dog food, but a more awesome snack that brings me back to elementary school. I first had puppy chow when I was in Campfire. Campfire is an organization similar to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, but better! Our group leader, Jamie, would bring puppy chow to our meetings and let me just say, there were never any left overs! Although I have already over loaded myself when it comes to holiday baking and cooking, I decided that Shelby needed to have some puppy chow. I made a double batch which will be enjoyed this weekend.
The recipe is very easy. It is on the back of some of the Chex cereal boxes but I will post it here in case anyone uses the off brand (like I often do!).
Puppy Chow
Ingredients:
9 c Chex cereal
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c peanut butter (creamy)
1/4 c butter
1 t vanilla
powdered sugar
Directions:
Measure out the cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
In a microwavable glass bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.
Microwave for 1 minute on high. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds more.
Stir in vanilla.
Pour mixture over cereal and stir until all cereal is covered.
In a plastic zip top bag pour a generous amount of powdered sugar. Add the cereal to the bag and seal.
Shake until all cereal is coated with powdered sugar.
ENJOY!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Chocolate Chip Cookies


It was a constant joke as Mark and I dated that I was only with him to get his mom's Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. They were the best chocolate chip cookies I had ever had! On our wedding day Mark gave me the recipe under the pretense that I had to keep it a secret. I can make the cookies for anyone but I cannot give out the recipe. This is very difficult for me because I love sharing my experiments in the kitchen. I have had to turn down multiple people and I hate it! Here are the much coveted cookies...


I made a ton last night for Christmas...a total of 46 in all. It is going to be a good Holiday!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Cookies Part 1 of 2

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the mass amount of sweets that I am allowed to consume. There is not a better excuse out there than, "It's the holidays!". My favorite cookies will be coming in Part 2 of 2 but I tired something new and thought I would share.


Normally I am not one to try to new things. I like what I like and there is no need to change what is good. But...as I read through the many yummy recipes on Foodnetwork.com I decided that there was one that I really needed to try. They are Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies. They are delightful! It didn't make many but they are so good! It is a simple recipe that gives these results...


If you would like the recipe shoot me an email! They are a great idea for a cookies exchange because they are different but still delicious!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Trimming the Tree

It's that time of year again!

I truely love Christmas. It is the most amazing holiday for about a million reasons and I just feel it from my head to my toes. This year is a little different though. The past two years Mark and I have enjoyed getting excited about Christmas together but this year is a little different. In the past we enjoyed shopping, decorating and baking together (really Mark just likes to sample the treats that I make!) but this year Medical School is getting in the way of that. It is probably one of the hardest things that I am having to adapt to...doing Christmas by myself. I know that if Mark had the choice that he would be 100% on board with helping me out, but right now studying is more important. So, although we had origionally decided not to decorate this year for budgetary reasons, we changed our minds. We decided that keeping the Christmas spirit alive in our household was more important than saving a few bucks. I spent a few good hours yesterday picking out a tree, a tree skirt, a star and ornaments for what is Mark and I's first tree as a married couple (almost 6 months!). Here is how it came together...



For my first time putting up a tree from start to finish, I honestly have to say that it looks really good. And I love how Bacon is posing for the picture! So, although it has been rough getting into the spirit, Christmas time is officially here. Now, I just have an immense amount of cooking and baking to do and I will be all ready for December 18th which is when Mark's semester is over and we can really begin the celebration of Jesus's birth!