Peanut butter cookies are a definite comfort food for me. We needed a little comfort this week…maybe a lot of comfort. Anyway, peanut butter cookies for my people were the first order of business today. The Princess and I even tested out a cookie press I found in my drawer for the first HUGE cookies. They smell divine and are already half gone!

The Usual Cast of Characters

• 1 1/3 cup (188g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (105g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 18 by 13-inch cookie sheets with silicone baking liners or parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.

Mix in peanut butter then blend in egg and vanilla. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. 

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Scoop dough out and shape into balls (30 grams each or nearly 2 Tbsp) then place on baking sheets spacing them 2-inches apart.

Using a long pronged fork flatten cookies slightly then turn fork going opposite direction and flatten just slightly again (it should create that criss cross pattern) or use a cookie press!

Bake cookies in preheated oven, one sheet at a time, for about 9 minutes (cookies will appear pale and slightly under-baked, they’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool). 

Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cookies and an airtight container

A little snapshot of summer!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full plate. What’s for dinner

Isn’t summer grand? Even if you spend a day doing absolutely nothing, you still feel like you completed the perfect day. Summer is good for your soul. Sometimes you find a poem that expresses how you feel perfectly, like Summer Time by William Wilson.

Sun shines on your skin and mine
Until it sets way after nine.
Memories made with a cold drink in hand.

Moments to cherish with feet in the sand.
Everyone laughing, smiles on every face.
Remember the moments, those were the days.

Turn up the music, sing it out loud.
Indigo skies, no sign of a cloud.

Mutter the words that no one will know.
Everlasting memories; where does time go?

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

And the summer fun continues from Virginia! We are enjoying a lovely week at the beach. The weather is beautiful and definitely filled with summer delights. The corn is growing, the pool is open and lazy mornings are the norm. I will be back next week with even more summer in Annapolis!

This week I ended my 35th year of teaching and the Princess finished 3rd grade. How this happened I don’t know, but I am ready for the summer. It has been a week of sleepovers, pool parties, ice cream and pool dates. It has also been a week of Red, White and Blue decorating. This house instantly looks more festive, crisp and bright as soon as I put it out and it is something I look forward to every year. Flags are plentiful, stars are abundant and there may even be an Uncle Sam or two! Is your summer shaping up to be busy or more chill this year? Are you ready for the hot weather and summer breezes? Enjoy my home ready for the 4th of July…

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Senior Salon@ Esme Salon

Senior Salon@Esme Salon

Share Your Style@ French Ethereal

Saturday Sparks@pieced pastimes

Pink Saturday@How Sweet the sound

Silver Sunday@The House on Silverado

Is there anything more moving than an American flag flying in a warm breeze or red, white and blue touches on a sun dappled porch? I love patriotic decor in the summer! It just matches the more casual, laidback attitude of the season. I love everything about summer: lazy mornings, fresh fruits and vegetables, and especially, time spent on my front porch watching and listening to the world go by. Time seems to slow down and laughter floats through the air. Come on by and enjoy a cold beverage of your choice. The rocking chair awaits you!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Fantastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Senior Salon@Esme Salon

Link up potpourri@My Bijou Life

…this happened!

We honored our newest military officers…

…and we honored those who served before them.

We celebrated our nation’s freedom…

…as Blue Angels thundered right over our house!

We gave thanks for all of God’s bounty and blessings…

…and then this happened! It can happen in your house as well…

The Best Ever Shortcake

Ingredients

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup shortening ( I have used butter as well but shortening seems to give the cake a bit more bounce)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.Grease and set aside a shortcake pan (or large muffin pan)

3.Measure  flour, salt, and baking powder into a small bowl and set aside.

4.Cream sugar, shortening, egg and vanilla. I use my kitchen aide

5. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and mix slowly.
6. Add milk slowly to batter. Combine until just smooth.
7. Spoon into greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes
8. Cool and remove from pan.

9.Smother cake with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream…you made the effort with the cake, you might as well do the cream right!

10.Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full Plate what’s for dinner

I was featured!

Vintage Charm Party@Our Hopeful Home

Morning Cup of Joe@The Country Cottage

What’s for Dinner@The Lazy Gastronome