Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!I'll be back next week with some delicious recipes! Have fun,and don't forget to remember all of the fallen soldiers and their families who have given so much for all of us!

Children's Personal Yearbooks

   If you enjoy scrapbooking,and you have some time to volunteer in your child's classroom,here is a great idea!Becky Higgins has free downloads available to help you put together yearbooks for your child and his/her classmates.While you may have to put the books together and take photos,the kids get to do the bulk of the work,and it is fun!If you are not feeling that ambitious,try to take the time to make them with your own children.What a great keepsake for you and your kids!You will have great memories of each school year,and your child will take pride in his/her achievements.Check out the details and free downloads at http://www.beckyhiggins.com/ .All of the info is on her blog!

Summer's Coming.......

Check out all of the new ice-cream themed chocolate treats from Godiva!Adorable!Find them at http://www.godiva.com/ !

Produce Bags

   With farmer's markets opening soon,here is a great way to transport your produce back home without winding up with tons of plastic bags.These are available at http://www.crateandbarrel/ . Love these!

Apple Crisp

   Although it is spring,and the weather is supposed to be beautiful this week,it is still chilly!So why not warm up with a delicious apple crisp for dessert tonight?This is an Ina Garten recipe that I have made into individual portions rather than one large crisp.Either way,it will warm your heart and your taste buds!

Filling Ingredients:
5 lbs. of chopped apples(I used Granny Smith,Gala & Macintosh)
zest of one lemon
zest of one orange
2 tbsp. fresh  lemon juice
2 tbsp. fresh orange juice
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg(I like to use fresh,but ground is fine)

Topping:
1-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 lb. unsalted butter,cubed and very cold
   

   Combine the apples with all of the above filling ingredients.Mix well to make sure the apples are coated.Pour into a greased 9x14x2 baking dish,or grease individual ramekins and pour some filling into each dish. Sprinkle the topping on each crisp and place onto a baking sheet(to prevent spills in your oven),and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour if making a large crisp, or if making the individual crisps,bake for 30 minutes,until golden and bubbly.Serve warm with ice-cream.

Topping:
   Mix all of the topping ingredients together in the bowl of your mixer until it is crumbly and is about the size of peas.Sprinkle on top of the crisp and bake as directed.

***This is a great dessert to make ahead. Before baking,wrap well with plastic wrap,and freeze until needed.Bake directly from freezer until golden & bubbly.(This may require 10-15 minutes more of cooking time than the original recipe).
***The topping is great for all types of crisps.If you have any leftover,place in a freezer bag,freeze,and keep on hand for when needed.It is delicious on top of a peach, or blueberry crisp.Of course,this may be made ahead and kept frozen for 3 months.

Chocolate Wedding Cookies

    Well,since we are now entering the wedding season,why not make wedding cookies with a twist?These are made with walnuts and cocoa,resulting in a delicious treat!Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!

Ingredients:
2 sticks of unsalted butter,softened
2/3 c. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1-1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts
powdered sugar
   In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the butter and sugar.Add the vanilla. Add the salt,cocoa powder and flour.Mix just until combined.
  Roll into balls(about 1 tbsp), and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.Let cool slightly,then roll in powdered sugar.

Mother's Day Deliveries!

Last year on Father's Day,my son Timmy thought it would be a nice idea to make some homemade popcorn for the dads on our block.Today he said "we really can't forget about the ladies." You know what?He's right! So off to the kitchen we went and made a few batches of Sour Cream Pound Cake batter.A few hours later,we had them baked,wrapped and ready to deliver.He was very proud of himself,and he put a smile on the faces of the ladies on the block.What a kid! Have a very Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!