School's Out! Summer's Here!

Today was the last day of school. Summer vacation! I remember last days of school, being SO excited to stay up late, playing outside until after ten o'clock and it was still light out but getting a bit chilly. Who needs a sweater? The dew felt good! Doing handstands on the front lawn with my sister and waving to cars as they go by to see who would wave back. Playing with my friends, riding my bike to the park, going on vacation in my Grandma and Grandpa's motorhome, playing hide and go seek with the kids on our block and we used the ENTIRE block so it was harder to find everyone.

The summer seemed ohhh so long. Heavenly. Now summer is about figuring out how to keep the kids entertained and before we know it, it's time to start back-to-school shopping. Oh boy, sorry I said THAT! Let's not think about that today! Today is about a summer that awaits us, playing in the sprinklers, going to the park, riding bikes, amusement parks, camping, crafts and movies on rainy days and just generally hanging with my girls. I am not working this summer for the first time in forever so I actually get to spend the summer reliving those days through the eyes of my girls. I can't wait!

~ Cookie photo from sweetsugarbelle.com

Cool Rooms and Lace Cookies

It's finally springy here, it's been nice enough to get outside and plant my flowers and tomato plants. Of course, spring also means rain and we are supposed to have it all week. I'm ok with it for now because it is greening everything up sooooo nicely!

I was blog hopping and found some lovely photos of both indoor and outdoor rooms that would be fantastic to lounge in for spring and summer.

This is my deck, we hung two baskets off the gazebo, it's fantastic to look out my window and see some green and flowers. You can also see some of my tomato

plants down below at the edge of the deck.

Here is what I WISH my backyard looked like! I love the hanging lights, I might have to look for some of those this spring.

This kitchen is fantastic! Drooling...

Love this backyard!

I love the white porch with touches of colour. So summery!!

I could totally hang out in this room on a warm summer evening with a glass of wine. This is Jennifer Aniston's home. Good taste she has!

This is also Jennifer Aniston's home. I LOVE purple and orange together. I MUST have a room like this. Not sure hubby would go for it. I'll have to work on him. : )

Hubby and I went out to a dinner theater with our good friends the other night and they had these lacy wafer cookies dipped in chocolate. I had waaay too many. Here is a version I found that would be lovely to have while relaxing in your favourite cool room. Enjoy!!

Chocolate-Drizzled Oatmeal Lace Cookies

INGREDIENTS: For the cookies: 1/2 cup oats, chopped in food processor 1/4 cup flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons corn syrup 6 tbsp melted butter (until the foam subsides) 2 tablespoons heavy cream Pinch of salt

For the ganache: 1/4 cup chocolate chips 1 tbsp heavy cream

DIRECTIONS: In a food processor, pulse the raw oats several times until they become small pieces. While that is going, melt the butter in a small saucepan.

Combine all ingredients for the cookies in a large bowl and stir to combine. Spoon onto baking sheets by the teaspoon, placing each cookie at least 3″ apart from others (they spread a lot!). Bake at 425 for 6-8 minutes, or until cookies have spread and are just beginning to brown around the edges. Let them cool completely on the baking sheets before sliding them off with a spatula.

For the chocolate drizzle, melt chocolate chips and 2 tbsp heavy cream for 15 seconds in the microwave on high heat. Stir to combine — if there are lumps, heat for an additional 5 seconds at a time. Spoon the ganache into a squeeze bottle and use it to drizzle chocolate onto the cookies, either on the cooled baking sheets or on a wire rack. Serve!

~ Photos courtesy of Pretty Prowler, Architectural Digest and Sugarlaws

Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookies for Santa

We made these cookies for Santa.  I think he'll like them. : )

~ 1 cup butter, melted

~ 1 cup sugar

~ 3/4 cup brown sugar

~ 1 large egg

~ 1 large egg yolk

~ 2 tsp. vanilla

~ 2 1/2 cups flour

~ 1 tsp. baking soda

~ 1/2 tsp. salt

~ 3/4 c. rainbow chocolate chips

~ handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.  Beat melted butter and sugars until well combined.  Slowly beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined.  Place dry ingredients in large bowl, stir to combine.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, beat.  Add chips at then end and stir in.  Spoon onto parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges just start to brown.  Let cool for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Serve on a plate for Santa!

~ Adapted from Picky Palate

Gourmet Gingersnaps

This is a recipe my cousin gave me when I got married 10 years ago. These cookies are so delicious. And my kids have fun rolling them in sugar! I always make them for a girlfriend of mine, they are her favourites! We are having them with afternoon tea today (or juice in the kids case) when my kids get home from preschool.

Enjoy!

~ 3/4 cup butter

~ 1 cup brown sugar

~ 1/4 cup molasses

~ 1 egg

~ 2 cups flour

~ 2 tsp. baking soda

~ 1 tsp. cinnamon

~ 1/2 tsp. each ginger and cloves

~ granulated sugar

Mix butter, brown sugar, molasses and egg just until combined. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, spices). Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in an electric mixer. Do not overmix.

Form into small balls. Roll in granulated sugar.


Bake on a greased sheet at 350F for 7 - 10 minutes (mine took 10).



Note: cookies spread out so don't push down (keep in balls). Bottoms burn easily so watch carefully.


TIP: When cool, keep cookies in an airtight container because they will moisten and remain chewy!



~ From the kitchen of my cousin, Jennifer G.

Lemon Shortbread Slices

These would make a lovely gift with some specialty teas!

~ 1 cup butter, softened
~ 3/4 c. granulated sugar
~ 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
~ 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
~ 1 large Egg white, fork beaten
~ 1/3 c. yellow sanding (decorating) sugar

Cream butter and granulated sugar in large bowl. Add lemon zest. Beat well.

Add flour in 2 additions, mixing well after each addition until no dry flour remains. Roll dough into 3 inch (7.5 cm) diameter log.

Brush log evenly with egg white. Sprinkle sanding sugar evenly on sheet of waxed paper slightly longer than log. Roll log in sanding sugar until coated. Wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight. Discard plastic wrap. Cut log into 1/4 inch (6 mm) slices. Cut each slice in half. Arrange halves about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Score each half with knife to make 4 wedges. Bake in 325°F (160°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until golden. Let stand on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Makes 6 1/2 dozen (78) cookies.

~ Courtesy of Company's Coming