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Stocking up with Christmas Cheer

~ amykins100 ~ 13 Comments

I can’t believe Christmas is almost here! The calendar is already filled up for the next month. I love the busyness of the season but really want to make time for the simple joys…like Christmas cookies. To make life a little easier, I find making the dough in advance a huge timesaver. Although the Princess says it’s not fair, I have mixed and frozen some of our most favorite Christmas cookie treats…this one is my favorite, chocolate sugar cookies with peppermint sprinkles! Don’t worry, I’ll show off the deliciousness when the season is in full swing.

The usual Cast of Characters

3 cups of flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Crushed candy canes, 3-4

The Steps to Glory

  • In a bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of your mixer, add the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth, I mixed mine about 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture in batches about 1/3 at a time and mix. 
  • Transfer the dough to a big piece of plastic wrap and gently knead it until it forms a ball. Wrap the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least an hour or freeze for later
  • Preheat  your oven to 350 degrees. Line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • I found it easier to cut the dough in 4 pieces and roll out each piece at a time so that it’s about 1/4 of an inch in thickness. Cut the cookies with your favorite cookie cutter or roll into balls and dip into peppermint sprinkles.
  • Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are firm and the center still slightly soft. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Transfer to a rack and cool. If you wish you can sprinkle them with icing sugar

I added it to my cookie stash in my freezer!

The Princess can’t wait for Christmas.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not . Grandma’s House DIY.Vintage charm Friday features. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Fresh market. Faith and family . Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday. Farm fresh Friday simple homestead what’s for dinner

Friday Favorites #503

~ amykins100 ~ Leave a comment

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Some New Old Stuff For Fall

~ amykins100 ~ 14 Comments

This season has been quite busy. I guess life is like that with a job and family that includes an energetic First Grader and a hard working hero. I have managed however, to pick up a few new old things to brighten my house. My goal is a cozy, welcoming home, a place that makes me smile the minute I walk through the door…no matter how busy the day has been. I love that the things I enjoy have a history, and have perhaps brought joy for many people before me. I hope you enjoy some of my recent finds!

Can you believe I found this beautiful quilt on EBay?! I love the vintage materials in fun fall colors.

I snapped up two more colored seltzer bottles at a local antique market. I love glass.

I’m still not sure what I’m going to do with this framed vintage grain-sack, but I’m sure the perfect spot will be found.

When my First Grade Princess is ready to read big girl books, I will have her covered. I love vintage classics and “Malt-shop” romances.

Our sweet Princess dressed as a Princess holding the oddest treat she found in her trick or treat bucket.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not. Style showcase. GrandmaDIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Feather nest. Friendship Friday . Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet Inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. . Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday classical homemaking. Farm fresh. Creativity crafty. Simple homesteading

Friday Favorites #502

~ amykins100 ~ Leave a comment

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Alas…The End of the Fall Apples

~ amykins100 ~ 20 Comments
Let’s hear it for apples and all the fall goodness they bring each year. One last fall apple recipe before the Christmas season arrives in a cloud of peppermint and chocolate. Just three easy steps…honestly easy!

SHORTBREAD CRUST

  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour

APPLE FILLING

  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

STREUSEL

  • 1/2 cup (40g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, cold and cube.
  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on all sides. Set aside.
  2. Make the crust: Stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir until everything is combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling and streusel.
  3. Make the apple filling: Combine the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until all of the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Make the streusel: Whisk the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together in a medium bowl. Cut in the chilled butter with a pastry blender or two forks (or even with your hands) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
  5. Remove the crust from the oven, and turn the oven up to 350°F. Evenly layer the apples on top of the warm crust. It will look like there are too many apple slices, so layer them tightly and press them down to fit. Sprinkle the apple layer with streusel and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown.
  6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Lift the foil or parchment out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into bars. I usually cut them into 16 smaller bars, but you can cut them into 12 larger bars.

Enjoy with your favorite veteran!

 

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town.g Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. . Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet Inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. .. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon.Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday farm fresh simple homestead. Saturday sparks. What’s for dinner

Friday favorites #501

~ amykins100 ~ 1 Comment

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

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Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

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Portrait Of Fall

~ amykins100 ~ 25 Comments

Portrait Of Fall

*By Alora M. Knight*

Looking out my window
In October’s golden light, 
I see a beauty unsurpassed,
A truly lovely sight.

Leaves are saying soft good-byes
As they come floating down
To make a nature’s carpet
Of yellow, red, and brown.

Mountain tops, now turned to white,
Forewarn of winter chills,
While trees, like golden rivers,
Wind their way up through the hills.

Throughout our world’s creation
You will ever find it thus,
Kaleidoscopes of color,
In God’s hand, the artist’s brush.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Faith and family. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday classic homemaking.