The Last of the Great Cookie Recipes!

'Cinnamon Coffee Cookies'

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp instant coffee crystals

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cloves

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 cup chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans (or chocolate chips)

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325F.  Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside.  In a large bowl, combine butter and shortening.  Beat with an electric mixer for thirty seconds.  Add brown sugar, sugar, coffee crystals, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and cloves.  Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.  Beat in flour until combined.  Stir in coffee beans.  Cover; chill for one hour or until dough is firm enough to shape.  In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.  For each cookie, roll 1 tbsp of dough into a ball.  Roll balls in sugar mixture to coat and place two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.  Bake for twelve minutes until edges are set.

'Brown Sugar Cookies' as promised...

'Brown Sugar Cookies'

3/4 cup sugar, at room temp.

1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar

1 large egg, room temp.

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375F.  Place the butter and sugar in bowl and beat until creamy.  Add the egg and beat well.  Scrape down sides of bowl.  Place the flour, baking soda, salt, and other spices in separate bowl and mix well.  Add to butter mixture and beat until incorporated.  Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto un-buttered cookie sheet two inches apart and bake for eight to ten minutes.

Another day towards Christmas! And what an awesome week it's going to be...I can tell! I'm gonna put on some pounds and I'm going to try not to think too much about it! Speaking of which, today is 'Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread' day (recipe to follow!)

Yesterday, we went to church and witnessed an adorable pageant called 'Operation Baby King' which was followed by a Christmas lunch and fellowship and then Dave, Landon and I went over to our friends Kandace and Cam's for a visit so we could all go together to the Live Nativity.  The Live Nativity is pretty cool! It was held at a farm and as you drive in, Roman soldiers direct you to your parking space and then a horse-drawn sleigh takes you to Bethlehem.  From there, shepherds lead you to the Baby Jesus (with real donkeys and cows!).  A flute is playing softly and as verses are read, the wisemen and shepherds lay gifts for the baby and angels sing! Next, you go through a door and you're in the marketplace at Bethlehem where you are given shekels (pennies) that you can spend on homemade Christmas ornaments, hot cider, buns, etc.  From there, you leave Bethlehem and go to a nice heated garage for coffee and food and fellowship....so much fun! And, the best part of the week thus far is that Mom will be here tomorrow! So much to do but having a blast!

'Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread'

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp orange rind

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups flour

3 tbsp corn starch

Coating:

2 bars bittersweet chocolate, chopped

In large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, orange rind and salt until fluffy; stir in flour and cornstarch to make a smooth dough.  Divide dough in half.  Form each into 10" log; wrap and refrigerate for one hour.  Slice logs into 1/4 inch rounds and place one inch apart on greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 325F for 15 minutes and let cool completely.  In heatproof bowl over hot water, melt chocolate and let melt to room temperature.  Dip half of cookie into chocolate, shaking off excess.  Refrigerate on waxed paper for thirty minutes.

Seven Days...

Well, yesterday didn't go as planned but it was still good and Christmas-y! Crystal phoned really early and asked if I wanted to go to Yorkton with her for some last minute Christmas shopping so of course I agreed! I didn't have time in the morning to make my 'Lemon Stars' but I did make my 'Brown Sugar Cookies' in the morning before I left! They smell pretty good.  And a-Christmas-shopping we went....I didn't need anything, but Cole tipped me off on a thirty dollar espresso machine for sale in Walmart and Dave has always wanted one (plus, he just used his door prize $200 dollars to buy me a very awesome bread machine) so I picked one up and gave it to him last night.  Part of me wanted to surprise him but part of me also wanted a cafe mocha before Christmas! This will give him time to figure out how to use it.  And, we didn't make it back for the Christmas Concert, but Cole and Eric treated us to supper at BP's which was pretty cool.  All in all, a wonderful kick-off day!  Today I have not much planned but I am making some Puppy Chow for the holidays...here's the recipe:

'Puppy Chow'

1 Box Crispix

1 cup Peanut Butter

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Icing sugar

Melt peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips and pour over cereal in large mixing bowl.  Mix lightly but well.  Continually add icing sugar until well-coated and spread on cookie sheet to dry. 

Let The Countdown Begin!

Alright all....eight more days until Santa comes down the chimney! Or something like that....And it's my Christmas countdown.  All of my Christmas festivities start tomorrow with Christmas baking and wrapping, reading Christmas books, crafts and church activities.  

I have chosen Friday, the sixteenth as baking day for 'Lemon Stars' and is also the night I go out with the girls to see the Mennonite Christmas Concert.  I'm very excited!  

On a side note....21 days to start a healthy lifestyle is definitely doable...but not this close to the holidays! I've already had brunches, Christmas parties and a birthday party! The best I can do until January is keep off the pounds! But, I'm not going to let it bother me...I'm going to enjoy the season! 

Lemon Stars

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugasr

1 1/2 tsp lemon extract

1/2 cp sour cream

1 tsp lemon peel

2 3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Frosting:

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

6 tbsp butter

3/4 tsp lemon extract

3 drops yellow food colouring

3 to 4 tbsp milk

In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and extract.  Stir in sour cream and lemon peel.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Chill for three hours.  Remove a portion of dough from fridge, roll out to 1/4 inch thickness.  Place 1" apart on cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes until edges are lightly browned.  Mix icing and spread on cooled cookies.

Put Your Best Finger Forward

The first thing I'm tackling this month in the pursuit of fabulousness (that's a word now, don't worry) is the weekly mani/pedi and finding a nice colour for those delightful digits.  I don't meant that we should go down to a salon every Thursday afternoon and spend a hundred bucks (although do treat yourself sometime, it's fantastic) I mean something simple...choose a day out of the week where you can give yourself an hour; mine is Sunday.  Then, soak your toes and fingers in warm water (if you have massage tubs for them, use those-I have one for both and I love them!) and pat dry.  Do some upkeep to the nails and cuticles (mine are always hazardous and hard to keep up) and then paint on your fave colour.  Right now, I've become a huge fan of both bright, bright colours or plain neutral.  This week, I'm going neutral in attempt to strengthen my nails.  I've gone with gel for years because my nails are super soft and as soon as they grow, they strip.  But now, with such a tight budget, I'm fending for myself.  So, I picked up Sally Hansen's Major Growth which is supposed to harden nails as it is worn.  I'm pretty sure that it just means that it creates a protective layer but since I know there's no miracle cure...I'm going with it.  It's in a beige colour which I'm going to coat with a clear Diamond Finish top coat.  And that's all for this week...nothing too fancy (that's for the Christmas Party and my son's birthday party next weekend).  If your like me, and wear and tear your hands from house cleaning and changing diapers (or whatever), touch-ups are needed and lots and lots of hand cream!  I'm always running and forgetting so my hands, especially in the winter, start to feel dry.  My goal is to apply lotion after every long-submersion and any time they're feeling a little thirsty.  That's why I've got lotion in my purse, my car, my nightstand and my bathroom.  I really should put some in my kitchen, as well!  I realize that wear and tear may not be as bad as in the summer when we're outside and if your like me, gardening! But, that is where the fabulous gloves come in...which hopefully, if I ever remember, can be discussed during planting season.  Instead, just pick a fabulous pair of gloves for your winter wear and flaunt those fingers!

Check it out:  http://www.canadianliving.com/style/beauty/6_healthy_nail_habits.php

21 Days To Form A Habit

At least, that's what I've read.  And so, being December 1st, the epic journey begins.  Unfortunately today, I'm just going to be talking about kicking off my new weight-loss goals (I promise, it'll be quick) but the first step to fabulous is coming soon!  

So, hopefully, in twenty one days, I'll be strong enough to make it through the Christmas season! I realize you're all probably laughing at me now so I'll wait a moment for you to get it out....

Okay, so Christmas Day, will be a total freebie, I admit it right now.  But, my plan is to indulge over the holidays but only within my calorie range which I'm putting at around 1300/1500 (along with 40 minutes of cardio Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 20 minutes of strength and 20 minutes of cardio on Tuesdays and Thursdays.)  And the way to keep track? Journal.  Apparently, one of the best things you can do is to write down everything that goes in the mouth (even four sneaked fries) because then, when you see it in black and white, it makes everything clear (that is one weird colour analogy).  It's also a huge kick to your self-esteem, I'm thinking but I've learned to take things with a grain of salt.  It's gonna be hard, I know, but in a weird way, I'm looking forward to the challenge.  I should note as well, that water plays a huge part in a diet...it helps shed built up water weight, gives you needed hydration, etc, keeps you feeling full and gives you a boost.  So, my goal is to be drinking 10 cups a day (that being half my body weight in ounces).

Also, on a side note; Dave and I are Christmas paupers, so that adds two elements to being fabulous.  Firstly, it makes it darn hard to spend money on junk food or eating out (which is great) but secondly, it also makes it hard to spend money on anything else so our challenge isn't just being fabulous, but doing so on a very strict budget.  It could be fun.  Or depressing: like window-shopping.

So, here goes...I won't bore you with any details of food I'm eating, etc.  I'm just going to give you some stats and a picture (I shake my head at my own audacity) and call it a day.

Weight: 165 lbs

Bust: 41 "

Waist: 39"

Hips: 38"

Okay, I promise, no new diet info until January, 2012.

It's A New Day (Or Something Like That)

Hey, hey, hey!
Okay, so you might have noticed that I changed my address from mymyselfandi.blogspot.com to 100waystofabulous.blogspot.com.
The reason for this is simple...it's time for an Allison re-invention.  Do you ever hit that point where you feel like your life needs some changes due to monotony or overwork? Well, I think I'm experiencing a little of both plus, a little like a stay-at-home-mom-housewife; which I realize I am, but I don't need to feel that way!  Plus, (and here's the quick inhale), I've gained some weight in the past two months and am really needing to lose like, thirty pounds!  I promise I won't post a ton of stats, but I am going to be starting a food journal at home and I will do the occasional update.  I also found some cool sites to keep me going on my journey.  Please note; this is for me only.  Not for anyone else.  I want to be happy looking in the mirror and while I love everything about my body, except for my stomach, I want it all! I want my cake and eat it too.  So, words of encouragement every once in awhile would be awesome.  This entire project will be starting on December 1st so that I not only have time to prepare, but I will also be starting on a 'beginning' day.
Also, I'm going to be doing some research into things that make me feel fabulous.  I know it's a state of mind, but it doesn't hurt to have some visual aids, etc, does it? So, I'm going to make up a list of aspects to look into and take the plunge day after tomorrow.
Looking forward to starting a brand new journey!

Very Quick Update

Hey guys!
Okay, quick update on the book list...which is almost finished, by the way!

37. They Thirst-Robert McCammon
38. The Help-Kathryn Stockett
39. Dolores Claiborne-Stephen King
40. Baal-Robert McCammon
41. Band of Brothers-Stephen E. Ambrose
42. The Hour of BAd Decisions-Russell Wangersly
43. A Secret Kept-Tatiana de Rosnay
44. The Russian Concubine-Kate Furnivall
45. The Night Circus-Erin Morgenstern
46. The Night Boat-Robert McCammon
47. Setting Free The Bears-John Irving
48. Perfect-Ellen Hopkins
49. Flying Changes-Sarah Gruen

So, only three more to go...right now, I'm reading 'The World According To Garp' by John Irving and it's turning into a real good read.  Also, occupying my time planning Landon's birthday party and looking after the little tyke! He's a handful and nearly walking! I'm also getting ready to go back to work part time in December and of course, there's Christmas on the way! Just a little more shopping left and wrapping! Yay!

Christmas is Coming!

Sorry, this will be quick but I thought it was time for a quick update!

Firstly, a toast to the first snow....the driving is crappy but it's so beautiful and Christmas-y out there!
Secondly, my son is crawling and walking along furniture and in one month, will be a year old!!! How insane is that?
Thirdly, I'm on my forty eighth book so I'm still ahead of the game.  I've read some good ones and am planning on posting a complete list on Facebook for the end of the year.
Fourthly, I'm going back to work in December part time and looking forward.
Fifthly, Dave has moved up a position at the bank and is training for teller today.
Sixthly, the inlaws will be here tomorrow for a quick visit!
What a busy time.

Book Count Update

26. The Fourth Hand-John Irving
27. Rebel Women of the Gold Rush-Rich Mole
28. 10 Things Jesus Taught About Women-Susan Hyatt
29. A Prayer For Owen Meany-John Irving
30. The Lake of Dreams-Kim Edwards
31. The Smoke Jumper-Nicholas Evans
32. So Brave, Young and Handsome-Leif Enger
33. When God Was a Rabbit-Sarah Winman
34. Just Another Indian-Warran Goulding
35. The Tommyknockers-Stephen King
36. Extreme Vinyl Cafe-Stuart McLean

Finally...a Post!

My Awesome New Pants!

Well, just a quick post while Landon sleeps-because we don't know how long it will last! I finished 'The Memory Keepers Daughter' by Kim Edwards-pretty good; slightly depressing. Now, I'm onto the Robert McCammon trilogy (which I've read two of the books previously but the third came out recently and I want to re-educate myself) starting with Speaks the Nightbird Part One and Two. It has always been one of my favourites. Dave is into his third week at the Credit Union and is loving it! I think he'll nail it and move up-he's very smart. I'm doing good; the days are weird not being at work, but every once in awhile I go in to see patients. The kitchen is coming along nicely too and it's awesome seeing something come out of what it was-I'll have to post before and after shots once we're done. And Landon is great-growing rapidly and always keeping me busy. Plus, he's tres adorable! More at a later date.

Howdy guys!
Well, my reading slowed down a bit as I started in on rewatching my Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman series! I love that show! But I did finish 'The Scarlet Thread' and it was pretty decent. I tried reading a book about good ol' Swan River that I got from Dave's parents but I couldn't make it through it, so now I'm onto 'The Memory Keepers Daughter'...it's caught my attention so far! I'm also learning to multitask with a baby better! I even knit a cool dishcloth with a butterfly imprint on it and my puzzle making is slow but steady-I work on it whenever I can get the baby to nap!
And Dave got an awesome new job full-time at the credit union which gives us evenings and weekends together. I've also been busy planning my gardening for the summer-in fact my early sweeding in indoor pots is next week already and I may actually have the income to do an overhaul on my yard.
As well, Landon and I arwe going out West in May and we're excited! I think that as much as Dave will miss us, he'll be happy to have time to hhimself. But I'd better blast since the baby is fidgeting! He's great, by the way!

Well, I've been just flying through the books! Landon is teething and growing like a weed so he's eating alot! I finished the 'Twilight' series along with the novella 'The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner' which was so so, followed by 'Riding Lessons' by Sara Gruen. It was a very good read, but I'm discovering that she is one of my favourite authors. I then read the sequel to 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood', 'Ya-Ya's in Bloom' by Rebecca Wells and it was okay; probably not one to keep in the bookshelf, though and am now on to the 'Scarlet Thread' by Francine Rivers. It's caught my interest so far so I think it won't be long before my next read.
Everything else is good; Dave just celebrated his 24th birthday and his parents were here a week ago-had a good visit; things went off without a hitch and we had a very fun bowling night in honour of Dave's birthday. Landon of course is great and cute as ever!

Book Update!

Hey! Just thought I'd give a book update: I finished reading 'The Divide' by Nicholas Evans and also 'The Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers' by Xiaolu Guo and it was interesting. It was written in broken English from the perspective of a Chinese girl coming to England to learn English. It's very philospophical and very interestingly written. Then, I decided to reread the 'Twilight' series again because I picked up the adjoining novella about six months ago called 'The Secret Life of Bree Tanner' and I didn't want to read it until I had reacquainted myself with the first four books. I'm already through 'Twilight' and almost done 'New Moon' again and they're just as good as I remembered. I can't wait to eat them up again and start the novella. Anyhoo, not much more to report-Landon is awesome; he eats alot though! But he's generally a happy boy and I am learning how to do things with him present like puzzles and household stuff. But, unfortunately, he is about to eat shortly so I should jet-have a great day all!

Well, being a mother definately takes up a lot of time-especially now that Landon is awake alot and wants to hang out with someone constantly! But, he is currently having a wicked awesome nap on the couch with his face smushe on a pillow (but still able to breathe!). However, I do have time to read alot and am still on schedule! I finished Olive Kittredge and it was okay; nothing I'd read again. I also finished John Irving's The Cider House Rules and it is AMAZING! I recommend everyone read it. I am now almost entirely through Nicholas Evans 'The Divide' and it's pretty good, but I had very little doubt considering the last new books of his were incredible (he wrote 'The Horse Whisperer').
Mom came and visited for almost two weeks and was here for her fifty first birthday which I made a camo cake for-it was fabulous! And, she bought me a horde of new books to add to my collection so I'm stocked for the next few months! It was also handy she was here because I had to go in for an emergency D and C almost two weeks ago and I needed someone to watch Landon because Dave worked nearly twelve hours and I had to be put under. But, I'm okay now,they just had to remove some left over placenta from my delivery. Gross, I know. Anyhoo, on that lovely note, I'd better jet. Lots of love!

Well, I'm still working on my third book; it's called 'Olive Kittredge' and it's by Elizabeth Strout....it's good, but probably something I won't read again; also making it difficult to get through it as fast. Dave's also been off all week which makes it hard to read through because we're always involved with eachother in some way. But next week is his long work week, so I'm positive I'll get a lot of reading done! Also, having a baby is very time consuming! In a good way of course.
But, he is very well behaved-yesterday, we went to Yorkton and did a little shopping and he slept all the way there, all the way through our trips into stores and didn't wake up until we were half an hour from home! It makes being normal so easy.
The resolution thing is going slowly but surely-for once I'm not doing that Allison thing where I chide myself for not sticking with it to a T. I think for the first few weeks, it takes a bit to get into a rhythm. I've slipped from the healthy eating once or twice but at least I'm not overeating when I treat myself! And I worked out today with Dave before he left for work-I'm a little tired, but I get to sleep in tomorrow. It'll be a late night for sure because we are going to Bill and Crystals for supper and we always end up shooting the breeze until ten or eleven o'clock at night and then we have to come home and get Landon to sleep which always takes a few hours.
Also, Dave and I are working on a short story project and did some work on that the other night. It was nice; just the two of us on lap tops in the living room with our son propped up on pillows beside Dave.
Anyhoo, my plan for the day is to start planninig my garden, finish tidying the house and maybe get the next kitchen cupboard ready for painting-but only if Landon lets me! If not, we'll settle down with a movie.

Ha, ha! A new post after two days! Not too bad at all! Well, the getting in shape thing is going okay! I worked out two days this week for forty minutes each-not as hard core as I'm used to, but my stitches have just recently healed...and I had a couple days of calorie confusion; I had myself adjusted to a 1300 calorie plan but was constantly hungry so when I looked up calories burned during breastfeeding, I wasn't too surprised that you can burn a whopping 500 calories a day! Which means, that knocks down calories injested to only 800, and if I work out and burn 200, that knocks me down to 600-not enough! No wonder I was soo hungry, and having trouble keeping to my set goal. I couldn't help 'overeating' because I had no calories left! Landon is taking them all away after I consume them. So, now I feel much better and not so bad when I don't work out because I can still get in shape; just slowly. I need to have some patience!
Also, I decided that I want to try and read a book a week this year (a huge goal, I know but I've already finished one and started another in 8 days) and have finished 'The Mistress of Nothing' by Kate Pullinger, which by the way, was excellent. It's a story loosely based on true events and I highly recommend it as a read, so I won't go into too much detail about it, so if someone decides to pick it up, they won't know what to expect. I'm now tying into 'Water For Elephants' by Sara Gruen and it's turning into a really good book. I like this new goal...firstly, I have time to read while nursing Landon because sometimes I sit with him for an hour or so (he's a very hungry little guy!) and secondly, I have a habit of collecting books and never having time to read them so now I can finally make my way through my fifteen or so unread titles.
I will keep you posted!
Also, I watched Moulin Rouge today-I forgot how much I love that movie!

Happy New Year!

Wow, suddenly, I've become an insanely terrible blogger! I miss the times when we all avidly posted, keeping ourselves in touch with each other's lives! Well, as you all probably know, I am entering 2011 as a Mom! My son was born at 12:04 am on December 13th and we named him Landon Hugh William Sommerville. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 15 1/4 oz and was four minutes away from being due on his due date! He is an absolutely beautiful boy with lots of hair (which is now turning a dark blond) and perfect hands and feet. He hardly ever cries and is growing like crazy; he's almost too long for his newborn sleepers and he's only three and a half weeks today. I'm very excited to celebrate my first real Mother's Day because last year, when I was pregnant, it was still all a big secret and the Dave got me a card to celebrate our coming arrival, but now I can celebrate my new stature with everyone!
As always comes with the New Year, I've got some resolutions that I'm hoping to accomplish! Here's my list:
1. Get in shape for summer-it's gonna take some hard work to get rid of my 'baby' belly, but I'm up for it! I've started a guideline on Spark Nutrition which lets me outline all the foods I eat and tells me how many calories I've ingested, breaking it down into carbs, fat, and protein and then comparing it to what I should be taking in. It also allows me to to track my workouts and how many calories I've burned.
2. Learn the guitar or piano, or both; whichever comes first-I'm waiting on being able to purchase a cord for my electric guitar that can connect it to the amp and then hopefully, I'll be on my way!
3. Write more-I want to see one of my books at least get sent away to be reviewed by a publisher, even if it gets rejected; which, from what I've heard, is very common but at least I'll have made that first step.
4. Start oil painting again-Dave has bought me a beginner set and some canvasses, but I have to decide what I want to paint. I've been starting to get more artistic, painting a few ceramics during the holidays but this is where I can really see how artistic I can be.
5. Blog more and communicate more with my friends-via email letter or phone but it must be done; I miss you guys!
6. Finish house renos-This is becoming the bane of my existance, especially without money! But, we've been known to do it on a tight budget before so we just need to get going; and learn how to work around a baby's schedule!
7. Create a backyard paradise-I've got my seed order ready from P.E.I and brand new Gardener's Journal with references and plot outlines. I'm very excited and hope to share my ideas online!
8. Hone in on my relationship with Jesus-this keeps coming up; and though it is technically last on the list, does not mean it isn't the most important and I want this not only for myself, but so Landon can learn about God and His love through me. I can only accomplish this by being devoted to being an open vessel to Him (as I wrote about in my last prayer blog).
I will keep you all updated on my achievements as well as other goings-on in my life (as part of my fifth resolution and as an attempt to become better connected to you guys! I'm very excited about this and hope to see some more posts soon.