Recipe of the...uh, week?

So for Christmas from my amazing In-laws, I got a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! I was super excited. As you know I am a VERY novice cook/baker. I am trying to improve and am hoping that this will continue to motivate me. Since my wise sister said, "If you get a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, you must do a Recipe of the Week!" - I am going to try. At least while I have some time before heading back to work.

These were found through Brown Eyed Baker's Blog

at DayDreamerDessert's blog.

W's
adapted from Cookies Unlimited
by Nick Malgieri

14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg white
2 cups all-purpose flour
Confectioners' sugar for sprinkling

Set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

Whip butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Add vanilla bean seeds or vanilla extract and beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well combined. Add the egg white and continue to mix until smooth.

Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly beat in the flour just until it is absorbed. Remove the bowl from the mixer and finish mixing the dough with a spatchula or wooden spoon.

Either pipe dough using a pastry bag and star tube (Ateco #824) into W's, or use a cookie press and shape of your choice to press cookies directly onto a baking sheet. *See note below.

Bake cookies for about 15 minutes, or until they are firm and lightly golden.

Just before serving the cookies dust them with confectioners' sugar.

Store the cooled cookies between sheets of parchment paper in an air tight container.

Note: I initially tied the pastry bag method, but I was unable to get the dough through the tip, and I tried it with a slightly larger tip (#825).

These are also perfect for a little dipping in some melted chocolate.

**Review: I had Had HAD to use my Kitchen Aid Mixer since I just got it for Christmas. That being said, I am still not familiar with the settings so that could have affected the process. I didn't have a pastry bag or a star tube so I tried to use a baggie with the tip cut out. Did not work. The dough was much too thick. So I ended up rolling tiny little balls and placing them together in the little star shapes. It sucked. But, other than that they were pretty easy to make. The dough was D-Lish! :) The cookies...are okay. Nothing to write home about. Well, I guess that is what I am doing so...

Mine:

Hers:

PS Kendell, did you make it to the toilet in time? :)

Merry (White) Christmas!

This year I was on-call for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day up until Saturday at 8:00 am. Herego, we remained in Olathe for the holidays. Which turned out to be so much fun (and much more safe!). We got 6-8 inches of snow with snow drifts up to 3 feet (in our back yard!). It is beautiful but has been quite the adventure going to the Perkin's for Christmas Eve celebrations and for Christmas Day festivities. However, we were one of the closest to travel to their house. Everyone made it! Even Josh's cousins from Springfield, MO, Blue Springs, MO, and Jefferson City, MO! They all drove in Christmas Day! What a long day for them! Unfortunately, once we got to their house, I put my camera down and helped with peeling potatoes, setting the table, resetting the table (thanks to Josh for knocking everything over...including full glasses of water!) and playing with little cousin Jacob!

Bella and Dakota LOVE the snow! I could probably leave them outside all day and they would be so happy! I will let them run around outside for about 5 minutes at a time, but by that point they are totally soaked with snow and I think they might get sick! Which...apparently, Dakota has kennel cough. Awesome.

Hope you all had wonderful holidays! We were glad to see the ones we did and were sorry that we didn't see you all!

Bryan and Angie - hope you guys are being safe and having a blast! See you when you get home!

Don and Mary Lynn - hope you guys got there safe, are making gobs of money, and are loving the awesome weather!

Strep Throat = Not fun

Well, Tuesday at work in the afternoon, my throat started killing me. I had achy neck, shooting pains behind my ears, hurt to swallow, headache, and it sounded to me like I was underwater. It was horrible. So I left a little bit early and went to the Urgent Care clinic. Yep, strep throat. And by the way, have you ever been tested of strep throat before? Who in the heck invented that?

"Hi my throat hurts"

"Let me shove this long prickly swab down your throat"

"I have a bad gag reflex"

"Just close your eyes"

WHAT???

#1 - Who would possibly think that a sort painful throat would benefit from being stabbed with a long prickly swab thingy? (Yes, I do understand they have to test it...)

#2 - "Just close my eyes" Who knew that would make my gag reflex improve? Well, she lied. It did not. If anything it made it worse. I nearly puked. I sort of wish I had because that would teach her to tell someone to "just close your eyes". Idiot.

#3 - I am admitting that I have a very small pain tolerance. Shh, don't tell Josh. But strep throat SUCKS! I had to stay home on Wednesday (darn), choke down some monster antiobiotics, and still feel like crap today!

And, since I am lucky enough to be on call for Christmas Eve night into Christmas day into Saturday morning at 8 am, I hope I spread strep to all the offices I have to visit! :) (not the patients of course...they are already in a crummy mood!)

Broken Arrow Christmas

Delayed post: Sorry!

This has been a crazy week so far! But last weekend we got to go see my Dad and Millie for Christmas in Broken Arrow! As always, we had a blast and ate way too much!

Ledger opened his gifts to a completely focused group...We loved watching his reactions! This was a toy given to him by Booma and Boompa! Josh put it together and helped him ride around on it. He sure seemed excited! Anyday now he'll be crawling and walking and keeping Mommy and Daddy on their toes!

Saturday night we all dressed up and went to cousin Jordan's birthday party. Boompa and his super proud grandson, Ledger, posing by the tree before leaving. I wonder who they were waiting on... oops! :)

At the party, Ledger got to meet his two new cousins, Lilah and Hayden. Lilah is not too fond of too many people but she sure loved her Auntie Em (Millie) and her new cousin Ledger. Hayden preferred Josh to anyone else. It was adorable! He kept hopping up on the couch right next to Josh and cuddling in to his arms. He would just look up to Josh and giggle. Super cute!

And just to prove that Josh and I overate...we took a picture, duh! We ordered a meal for two type thing and I think that it was more like a meal for four. It was huge! We barely made a dent! But I did get this cute scarf from my cousins! They are so hip! Thanks Peyton and Carson!

Lindsborg Christmas

This weekend we had our Christmas at Lindsborg with my Mom's family. It also happened to be Ledger's VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS! He is so adorable!


Please take note of his adorable Christmas Tree pajamas! He was fighting sleep to open gifts. I am not sure he was truly excited, but that is okay. His auntie Em still loves giving him gifts!

Saturday night, my Mom and Buddy had a 20th anniversary party! Can you believe they have been married for so long! :) The party was held at the Lindsborg American Legion where we had lots (and lots) of yummy food, drinks, and of course a DJ! It was a blast! All of our family and their friends came in for the bash!


One of Mom's favorite dance moves: the Gator! At Kendell's White Coat ceremony (about 4 years ago), Mom made Josh do the Gator at the after party dance. It was hilarious! This is them recreating the moment! He is such a good husband!

And best picture of the night? Yep, Ledger giving his auntie Em a kiss! Well, sort of. But at least it looks like it! Kendell and I were trying to get him to pose for a self photo when he either heard something or saw something and turned to look at it. Lucky for me, it looks like a kiss!

Best runner up for picture of the night? Yep, Josh and Grammie! I think that this is freaking adorable! Anytime your grandmother lays their head on your husband's shoulder, there is definitely a swoon moment!

It was a fabulous weekend with family and friends! We got to catch up with family we hadn't seen in awhile and we got to spend quality time with the family that we do get to see!

December Recipe of the Month - Better Than Brownie Cookies

So today I have off from work, which ended up being perfect! We have our G-Phi dinner tonight and it also happens to be our Christmas Party! This is my first Christmas Party with the girls so it will be a lot of fun. We do appetizers and then do a cookie exchange. I had Josh chose the type of cookie I was going to bring since he would have to eat the leftovers. He chose (out of 2 options...) these.

Better-than-Brownies Chocolate Cookies

Makes 24 large cookies

2 2/3 cups (about 16 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 eggs

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper of a silicone baking mat.
2. Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth.
3. In the meantime, stir together the eggs, vanilla and sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.
5. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine well. Slowly add the dry ingredients, folding them into the batter. Once all of the flour is incorporated, stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Scoop 1½ tablespoons of dough (a medium cookie scoop’s worth) onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until they are firm on the outside. Like brownies, do not overbake! Leave to cool completely on the baking sheets.

(Adapted from Culinography)

And just because I didn't get to show this before. I made this for the Pre Thanksgiving Celebration over at Angie's house. It also happened to be K-State's last game in which we fell a little short to Nebraska. However, the pie was beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

This past weekend we had a practice Thanksgiving and made a full meal! It was...a success! Sort of. Everyone was super full and super happy!

On Monday, we had some friends over to celebrate Mary being in town! We got to see baby soph and play a few games! So much fun!

Then we headed to Broken Arrow to see family and spend the holidays there! The weather was beautiful and Josh and Dad even got to play golf! Friday morning, Millie made us pumpkin pancakes! They were fabulous! Really, awesome! I am sad that I wasn't hungry enough to enjoy more!

Friday afternoon we drove to Muskogee to see the other side of my family. Ledger got to meet his uncle Buddy, Great Granny, and aunt Tootie! He loved all of theattention!

Saturday was a little bit more relaxed... :)

We watched the OU v OSU game and since it was such a nail biter, Josh and Ledger remained at the edge of their seat the whole time!

Just a cute picture of the boy and me!

Happy "New Moon" Day!

So today, New Moon comes out. I am unfortunately not getting to see it on opening day. Can you believe that our movie theatre was SOLD OUT (well...sort of) until Tuesday? Angie and I are spoiled and refuse to go to movies unless they are in Fork and Screen or Cinema Suites. Pathetic, I know. But nevertheless, they are sold out in these theatres until Tuesday! So, I will post a review then. I am saddened by my morning radio show's review. Mike Evans only gave it 1 1/2 stars... :( But, he's old so that's okay!

We will, however, be watching The Blind Side tonight on opening night! So freaking excited for this movie. Mike Evans gave it 4 stars! He never gives 4 stars! I love Sandra Bullock and I love the story line. I sort of got obsessed during the draft this past year where they spotlighted his story on ESPN. It was amazing and the movie will be even more amazing! So, Happy "The Blind Side" Day too!

Update (nothing exciting!)

Thank you sisters for reminding me how behind I am on blogging. HOWEVER, not much has been happening with us.

-Falcon Football season is over (boo!)

-Went to the KSU-OU football game in Norman but forgot my camera. We had a blast seeing family and seeing our Cats almost pull it off! Next year Bob, watch out! We also took family photos but thought that I shouldn't post those since they haven't been "officially" released! Welcome back Bill...we missed you!

-Had an AWESOME G-Phi dinner on Wednesday, November 4th. Got to see some friends that I haven't seen literally in years! It was really nice. Even though I seemed to talk about the news and no one knew what I was talking about...crickets. Anyway, it was still a blast to see everyone! Plus, someone made the best cupcakes I have ever had! I even brought 3 home with me and didn't share with anyone! :) Thanks Jamie!

-Watched the KSU-KU game on Saturday in the comfort of my own home with friends and family over. Mom and Buddy were in town and we layed low all weekend...playing Bag-O and Aggrivation (awesome new game that they taught us).

-This week I am on call, which means nothing except that I have to convince hospitals that what they are ordering, is not, in fact, an emergency. And the sound of my pager is probably the most annoying sound in the world. Definitely more annoying than the sound on Dumb and Dumber.

-And yes, I do realize that it is November 10th and I have not posted a Recipe of the Month. For all of you on the edge of your seats, I will tell you what it will be. This weekend is the first time that I will have any time to do any baking so I will post pictures and recipe on Saturday. I am making a Jalepeno Garlic Bread loaf. :) YUMMY!

The Bullet Hole

The Bullet Hole is an indoor shooting range in Shawnee, KS. Josh is currently obsessed with guns/shooting so what do we do, rent guns, ear protection, ammo, and targets and head down to try our hand at shooting.

Here are Josh and Randy showing me how it's done.

I think I was pretty good, but Josh said I was too high. Not sure, but if I shot you 10 times in the jugular/face range, I am betting you would stop coming after me!

He isn't high, just couldn't keep his eyes open long enough to take a picture!

This is my other husband... Don't we look excited!?!

And because I'm me...

And just to prove I did it...

(In case you haven't been to the shooting range, it is loud. Beware!)

Weekend Fun and Monday Jury Duty

This weekend my parents came up to visit! It is so nice to have people here visiting! On Friday night, Dad and Millie bundled up (some of us did better than others!) and joined Randy and I for Friday Night Football. It was FREEZING! I tried to warn them! Even though we cheered on our Falcons in the blistering cold, we could not pull it off. We will try again next week!



On Saturday, we did a lot of football game watching (Go Wildcats! Go Sooners!) and Millie and I even did some shopping! That night we treated ourselves to a delicious steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Yum yum yum! When we arrived home, I did force a game of "Sorry" out of them before crashing! Stinking Josh won!




Monday was a particularly special day. I had jury duty. I will not lie, I was less than excited! So in I went at 9 am, sat for an hour or so, got CHOSEN for a juror (juror #4 to be exact) on a DUI appeal case, and spent the whole day there. I did get to eat lunch with Angie! We got to watch a dash cam video from the police car and had a little room that we went to to discuss the case. I felt very important. Anyway, we found him guilty. So moral of the story...do not drink and drive. I will find you. And I will find you guilty. :) (PS Rocky, I am sorry because I generally believe that you were not wasted, but maybe a little tipsy...you should have taken the breathalizer, I would have had more sympathy for you.)

Friday Night Football

This week we take on the Blue Valley Tigers. This is the second to the last game of the regular season! Wish us good luck!

GO FALCONS!

Pics from last week (I was out of town so I missed it too. We lost...14-15)






Well this week was interesting. Almost as interesting as last week and the week before. I hate change and this has been a "month of change". Mostly with work so I will not bore you. However, I will promise to blog better in the next few days/weeks. PS My dad and step-mom are in town this weekend! Woot woot!

Pumpkin Patch!

Two weekends ago, my cousins came up and stayed with us! We had a blast! Ethan is 14, Olivia is 12, Isaac is 9, and Faith is 4. They kept us busy!

But on Sunday when they were here, we kept them busy! AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH! And guess what? I forgot my camera! I pride myself on always remembering my camera. I always have it with me. However, when they got to our house, they thought my camera was sooooo cool so they took about 50 pictures on it and ran the batteries down. So I had plugged it in and completely forgot it. I was so sad. But...there was a little concession stand and they sold disposable 35 mm cameras! I bought one but now haven't made it to a place that develops them! I will soon though...promise!

We did buy them all pumpkins and had them carve them! We dug out all of the goop and separated the seeds and I baked them. Yum! It was so much fun!

By the way, Olivia is sick with Influenza A...so is her grammie (my aunt) and her cousin (my other cousin). PS That is the H1N1. Sorry Jamie and Kelly and Soph... :)

PPS Of course I read your blog Angie. Josh bought me 2. One is the black one like our other coat (like the one you bought too) and then one is off white (probably the one you were suggesting). I will only wear the white with jeans...or maybe give it to my mom. I do love the black! And I couldn't let you buy coats without me matching you... :)

5 Things I Love...But Shouldn't

Yep, I'm a follower! Thanks Deanna, Jamie, and Kelly... :)

5 Things I Love...But Shouldn't

1. Blogs. Anything Blog related. I love stalking on them. I love writing on them. I love them. Josh makes fun of how much information I put on here, but it is my connection to the world. Without it, I would not get to see the intimacies of my nephews growing up (first real food, Halloween costumes, etc) or of the things that just can't be expressed over the phone (the perfect charm or new light fixtures). It is the most wonderful, glorious thing in my world right now (besides family and friends!).

2. Chocolate. For those of you who have known me for awhile, know that I HAVE to have chocolate at least 6 days of the week. Yes, I meant to leave out one, because sometimes I have eaten all of the chocolate that is in our house and there isn't any left. In those situations, I usually make an emergency Dairy Queen or Sonic run for a shake. Pathetic and a little disgusting, I know. I can't help it.

3. Career Looking. Confusing, I know. But I love fantasizing about the possibility of changing careers, winning the lottery, opening my own Reception hall (this is a brilliant idea, any one want to fund it?), etc. I love thinking that there is something else out there. That I am not completely and utterly stuck in one job everyday for the rest of my life... Now, along with this also goes house looking. I will not make this a top five, but it was up there. I LOVE looking at houses that I cannot and will not be able to afford. It is a dream. Keep your fingers crossed for the winning lottery numbers!

4. Yard work. Now this is a good thing. The only reason I say its something that "I shouldn't" love is because rarely I find someone else who loves it...or even likes it. I like redesigning our yard and plants and am always thinking about what we can do next year. You would think that because I love this our yards would be awesome! They are not. Even though I love it, Josh does not. Nor does he like being my "muscles" that do all of the hard labor. But I promise you, next year we will be painting our house, landscaping the front steps, and planting our garden (which is built but not planted!).

5. Target. I understand that everyone else chose this too. I don't care. It is my vice. I go there when I can't sit in traffic anymore (yes, I put into my Garmin and find the nearest one until traffic has let up), when I am trying to let Josh beat me home so he can let the dogs out, when I've had a stressful day, when I am hungry (yes, the do have chocolate), or even when I have the random inclination to change the artwork/buy new artwork for our house. I love it. I love the red shirts and khakis... It feels like home!

Runner Up: K-State and OU. They just don't go together. And like I am continually telling my dad, I want OU to beat everyone but K-State. I was born a Sooner fan and I grew into a K-State fan. Both are rooted deep inside of me... Go Cats! I mean Go Sooners! I mean...I don't know anymore!

Football Friday

It is football Friday! Yeah! However, it is freaking freezing outside! I will definitely be bringing out the long underwear.

I did notice that I don't put too many pictures of the games up so here are a few...

Josh in the "break"It is hard to see but Josh giving the guys a stern "talkin' to"
Did I mention that at the end of EVERY game the guys line up and sing to the crowd their school song? They do. And as cool as it is after winning, it feels very awkward and uncomfortable when we lose. So keep your fingers crossed that we're singing to a winning crowd this week!

Olathe South vs. Shawnee Mission East at ODAC at 7 pm.

Go FALCONS!

I heart cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxNg7ZP6E5E

I have had a tough week and our office lady showed me this video this morning and I am so thankful...I needed a good giggle. Enjoy!

My new job...sort of.

So today, Tuesday, is my first real day at this office. I officially have my own desk and I officially have myself butt deep in work. The practitioner that moved to a different office was extremely busy and worked extremely fast. I was niether at the office I was at before. I am slow because I am still learning (they say it takes 5 years!) and I was not busy because I was the 3rd practitioner in that discipline. That being said, I am a little overwhelmed...

This is my shelf. AGH! Obviously, these are not my patients, so these are all things that I'm walking into...with no idea what is going on with any of them!

PS My apple pie was indeed delicious. I am such a good baker! If anyone is willing to peel and cut the apples, I'll make them a pie too! :)

PPS Happy Birthday BJ! I know you don't know about my blog, but I thought I'd give you a shout out anyway!

The results are in...

DELICIOUS!