Maturity
is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be
said to remedy anything.
- Kurt Vonnegut
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Most Wonderful Gingerbread Cookies
Using parchment paper instead of greasing the cookie sheets was a great time saver today. The cookies didn't stick and slid right off onto the cooling racks. I didn't have six baking sheets to scrub which is always a plus for me.
Kittencal's Jumbo Chewy Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
I used a double-chocolate chip instead of my regular ones. The flavor was more intense which probably increased the ultimate value of the cookie. This one earned a place in my cookie recipe file!
Cinnamon Cookies - Trial Event!
Leave it to Bill Cosby . . .
Human
beings are the only creatures that allow their children to come back home.
- Bill Cosby
My new, possibly, favorite cookie recipes . . .
I just went through the cookie link I posted earlier today and found some interesting ones that don't match up to anything in my tried and true files. I don't know which ones appealed to you all, but these are the ones I'm bound and determined to include in my baking.
Kittencal's Jumbo Chewy Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies - I have a similar one in my collection but this one added coffee creamer which intrigued me. I already add coffee creamer to my buttercream frostings with good results so figure this is a good thing.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - I know, another oatmeal cookie but I like the moist, chewy aspect and I already haven enough recipes that produce great crisp versions.
Cinnamon Cookies - I like the scent of cinnamon and these seem to be different than the usual Snickerdoodle cookies. Not that there is anything wrong with Snickerdoodles but two, very different cinnamon cookies on the cookie plate can only be a good thing.
World's Best Butter Cookies - Looking forward to my personal determination as to the world's best status on this recipe but it is very basic and those type of recipes seem to produce the most memorable cookies and become baking standbys.
The Most Wonderful Gingerbread Cookies - Anything with ginger and molasses is a good start. I'm interested in the fact that the dough needs to rest before using. Also, you can roll out thin cookies for crisp and thicker one for a softer version.
Peanut Butter Balls - I made these, last year, and lost my recipe! I was pleased to find it on this site and now have it carefully copied and ready for production in the near future. It's a no-bake recipe but they will pull you off whatever diet you are trying to observe and you won't scream or kick at all.
Kittencal's Jumbo Chewy Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies - I have a similar one in my collection but this one added coffee creamer which intrigued me. I already add coffee creamer to my buttercream frostings with good results so figure this is a good thing.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - I know, another oatmeal cookie but I like the moist, chewy aspect and I already haven enough recipes that produce great crisp versions.
Cinnamon Cookies - I like the scent of cinnamon and these seem to be different than the usual Snickerdoodle cookies. Not that there is anything wrong with Snickerdoodles but two, very different cinnamon cookies on the cookie plate can only be a good thing.
World's Best Butter Cookies - Looking forward to my personal determination as to the world's best status on this recipe but it is very basic and those type of recipes seem to produce the most memorable cookies and become baking standbys.
The Most Wonderful Gingerbread Cookies - Anything with ginger and molasses is a good start. I'm interested in the fact that the dough needs to rest before using. Also, you can roll out thin cookies for crisp and thicker one for a softer version.
Peanut Butter Balls - I made these, last year, and lost my recipe! I was pleased to find it on this site and now have it carefully copied and ready for production in the near future. It's a no-bake recipe but they will pull you off whatever diet you are trying to observe and you won't scream or kick at all.
Watched Persimmons Never Ripen . . .
One of my favorite treats is a persimmon. I like the Hachiya type that have to be dead ripe or your will regret it. A less-than-ripe one will pucker your mouth and make it feel like you have just installed wall-to-wall fur - not a pleasant feeling. Imagine my surprise when I walked into Costco and, for the first time I can remember, were selling boxes of my favorite fruit. They were still hard but a wonderful orange color full of promise. That was three weeks ago . . .
I set my box of precious cargo on the counter at home and waited for them to ripen. After a week, they still looked fresh, lovely, and hard to the touch. I tried putting one in a brown paper bag. Another week went by and it loved the paper bag as it kept to it's pretty color and unripened state. I did some research and there were serveral suggestions.
One site said they only finish ripen after a frost so freeze them and then they will be ready for eating. Further research stated that it is only a coincidence that they finish ripening after the first frost and they will still be too tart.
As stated, we tried the brown paper bag approach with no luck.
Currently, I have three of them residing in a plastic bag with an apple. Supposedly, the gasses released by the apple in captivity will encourage the persimmons to ripen. It's been a week . . .
I set my box of precious cargo on the counter at home and waited for them to ripen. After a week, they still looked fresh, lovely, and hard to the touch. I tried putting one in a brown paper bag. Another week went by and it loved the paper bag as it kept to it's pretty color and unripened state. I did some research and there were serveral suggestions.
One site said they only finish ripen after a frost so freeze them and then they will be ready for eating. Further research stated that it is only a coincidence that they finish ripening after the first frost and they will still be too tart.
As stated, we tried the brown paper bag approach with no luck.
Currently, I have three of them residing in a plastic bag with an apple. Supposedly, the gasses released by the apple in captivity will encourage the persimmons to ripen. It's been a week . . .
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies? You decide?
I can never decide which way tastes best with chocolate chip cookies - fresh from the oven so the chocolate chips can drip down your chin or cold with that chocolate bite. Personally, I don't turn down either version!
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed, dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
Grated zest of one orange
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Whip the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest until well-blended. Add flour and baking soda until well-mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets, about two inches apart. Bake for eight to ten minutes or until edges are golden brown. Don’t over bake! Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Especially good, hot and gooey out of the oven!
Ideas . . .
Substitute some of the chocolate chips for mint chocolate chips.
Use half milk chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips.
Add a half cup chopped pecans and go all white chocolate chips.
Add a half cup of toffee bits to the original recipe.
One-half cup raisins or dried cranberries aren't against the law.
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed, dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
Grated zest of one orange
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Whip the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest until well-blended. Add flour and baking soda until well-mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets, about two inches apart. Bake for eight to ten minutes or until edges are golden brown. Don’t over bake! Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Especially good, hot and gooey out of the oven!
Ideas . . .
Substitute some of the chocolate chips for mint chocolate chips.
Use half milk chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips.
Add a half cup chopped pecans and go all white chocolate chips.
Add a half cup of toffee bits to the original recipe.
One-half cup raisins or dried cranberries aren't against the law.
1 Liter of Tears
I've only gotten through half of this series (it's subtitled) but it wrenches at the heart strings, big time! Even with having to read the English subtitles, the power and emotion of the movie comes through quite starkly.
http://www.mysoju.com/japanese-drama/1-litre-of-tears/
1 Litre no Namida (TV series)
http://www.mysoju.com/japanese-drama/1-litre-of-tears/
1 Litre no Namida (TV series)
1
Liter of Tears
Christmas Cookie link!
http://www.food.com/holiday-entertaining/cookies/package?nl=FCW_112911_featlink5&sni_mid=20942&sni_rid=20942.311.869067
Great link for a multitude of Yuletide goodies! I got hungry just reading it and am busy making notes on which ones I may be including in my tried and true favorites.
Great link for a multitude of Yuletide goodies! I got hungry just reading it and am busy making notes on which ones I may be including in my tried and true favorites.
Way too much truth here . . .!
I never give them [the public] hell. I just tell the truth, and they think it is
hell.
Heart breaker . . .
Anxiety
is love's greatest killer. It makes others feel as you might when a drowning man
holds on to you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with
his panic.
- Anais Nin
Son, It's Time We Have a Talk About Where Babies Go . . .
Son, It's Time We Have A Talk About Where Babies Go
By Zhi Peng Wuang
March 3, 2009 | ISSUE 47•47 ISSUE 45•10
Now, Xiu, you're getting to be a really big boy, and I know you've been asking a lot of questions about Mommy and why she's been so sad lately. Well, your mom and I have been talking and we think you're finally old enough to learn where babies—where babies go.
No, the stork doesn't take them away, Xiu. Please, son, just listen to Daddy, okay?
Do you remember when Mommy had a big tummy? Yes, you put your ear next to it, that's right. Now, do you also remember around that time, when that letter came in the mail? The one Daddy ripped up and threw all over the ground? And Xiu, a few months after that, do you remember that man—that tall man in the shiny coat? He came to our door and there was all that screaming?
No, he's not where the babies go, either. Not exactly. Please Xiu, just wait a second…. It's a little more complicated than that.
You see, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much, but they're being pressured by the People's Republic of China and they have nowhere else to turn, sometimes they will walk miles away to a place where nobody knows who they are, and they'll—wait, no. Hold on. Let's start over. Can Daddy just think for a moment here?
Play with your toys for a bit. Why don't you take out Mr. Bear and Mrs. Giraffe and play with them for a little while? It's all right, Daddy's okay. He just needs to go splash some cold water on his face.
Okay, this might make more sense. You know how sometimes I complain about there being too many toys in your room, and how I say that they're making a mess, and in order to not make such a mess, you might need to throw some of your toys out? Well, China is kind of like that, too. What's that? You're right, I've never told you to throw any of your toys away. Because that would be very mean—yes—you're right. Xiu, my son, please don't cry. None of your toys will have to be thrown out.
Nobody should have to get rid of anything they love.
Maybe Daddy can borrow some of your markers and paper. That might make things easier to explain. First, let's draw your mother. And inside your mother's tummy is a tiny little baby. Look how cute she is! Let's call her Eu-meh, okay? That was your great-great-grandmother's name. Well, inside Mommy there is also something else. There's also this black thing here. That's called "fear." And every time Mommy gets a phone call from the census bureau, or a threatening telegram from the National Population and Family Planning Commission, that black thing keeps growing inside of Mommy. Growing and growing until it's bigger than even little Eu-meh.
No, no, Xiu, Mommy's not going to give birth to the black thing. It was just an example. No, the black thing can't be your little sister. Look, it doesn't work that way. Just forget that I mentioned the black thing at all.
Here, this I think you'll understand. Remember Uncle Jm Leor? He was really smart, and used to teach school at the university, and helped to organize big parades against the government? Remember how after one of his parades we told you that Uncle Jm Leor had to move far, far away? Well, that's where babies go. They have to move far, far way.
I guess in a kind of hotel, yes. It's not the kind of hotel you can visit, Xiu. Because it's already full. It's all full of babies. Listen, I don't know who takes care of them. That's not the point of what I'm trying to…
How can I—you're so young and so ...You know what? It's the stork. The babies go with the stork, Xiu. Giant storks come and take the babies away and that's where they go. Make sense? Good.
By Zhi Peng Wuang
March 3, 2009 | ISSUE 47•47 ISSUE 45•10
Now, Xiu, you're getting to be a really big boy, and I know you've been asking a lot of questions about Mommy and why she's been so sad lately. Well, your mom and I have been talking and we think you're finally old enough to learn where babies—where babies go.
No, the stork doesn't take them away, Xiu. Please, son, just listen to Daddy, okay?
Do you remember when Mommy had a big tummy? Yes, you put your ear next to it, that's right. Now, do you also remember around that time, when that letter came in the mail? The one Daddy ripped up and threw all over the ground? And Xiu, a few months after that, do you remember that man—that tall man in the shiny coat? He came to our door and there was all that screaming?
No, he's not where the babies go, either. Not exactly. Please Xiu, just wait a second…. It's a little more complicated than that.
You see, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much, but they're being pressured by the People's Republic of China and they have nowhere else to turn, sometimes they will walk miles away to a place where nobody knows who they are, and they'll—wait, no. Hold on. Let's start over. Can Daddy just think for a moment here?
Play with your toys for a bit. Why don't you take out Mr. Bear and Mrs. Giraffe and play with them for a little while? It's all right, Daddy's okay. He just needs to go splash some cold water on his face.
Okay, this might make more sense. You know how sometimes I complain about there being too many toys in your room, and how I say that they're making a mess, and in order to not make such a mess, you might need to throw some of your toys out? Well, China is kind of like that, too. What's that? You're right, I've never told you to throw any of your toys away. Because that would be very mean—yes—you're right. Xiu, my son, please don't cry. None of your toys will have to be thrown out.
Nobody should have to get rid of anything they love.
Maybe Daddy can borrow some of your markers and paper. That might make things easier to explain. First, let's draw your mother. And inside your mother's tummy is a tiny little baby. Look how cute she is! Let's call her Eu-meh, okay? That was your great-great-grandmother's name. Well, inside Mommy there is also something else. There's also this black thing here. That's called "fear." And every time Mommy gets a phone call from the census bureau, or a threatening telegram from the National Population and Family Planning Commission, that black thing keeps growing inside of Mommy. Growing and growing until it's bigger than even little Eu-meh.
No, no, Xiu, Mommy's not going to give birth to the black thing. It was just an example. No, the black thing can't be your little sister. Look, it doesn't work that way. Just forget that I mentioned the black thing at all.
Here, this I think you'll understand. Remember Uncle Jm Leor? He was really smart, and used to teach school at the university, and helped to organize big parades against the government? Remember how after one of his parades we told you that Uncle Jm Leor had to move far, far away? Well, that's where babies go. They have to move far, far way.
I guess in a kind of hotel, yes. It's not the kind of hotel you can visit, Xiu. Because it's already full. It's all full of babies. Listen, I don't know who takes care of them. That's not the point of what I'm trying to…
How can I—you're so young and so ...You know what? It's the stork. The babies go with the stork, Xiu. Giant storks come and take the babies away and that's where they go. Make sense? Good.
Another Day of Summer . . .
It has been up in the 80's with the weather since Saturday. In Southern California, we seldom pack away our summer/winter clothing because we might need either set on a moment's notice! I'm just happy that Thanksgiving Day was cold for the first time in several years. Nothing less-holiday-like than having to turn on the air conditioning when roasting a turkey in the oven. The very next day, however, the temperatures climed and we got up to around 83 degrees yesterday. According the the weather reports, we should go down to the 70's tomorrow and, by Friday, to the 50's with a chance of rain. I don't fret too much about the weather because I don't have control over it!
Since cooler days are coming, I'm thinking hearty soup and salad meals for cold evening. The following is a very easy recipe and most people have no objection to hiding broccoli with a covering of cheese!
Broccoli Noodle Cheese Soup
2 cups noodles
10 ounces of frozen, chopped broccoli, thawed
1 onion, finely chopped
4 gloves of garlic, peeled, smashed, and diced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups processed cheese, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash chili flakes
5-6 cups of milk
Cook the noodles until just tender. Set aside for now.
Melt the butter in another pot, add the onion, garlic, and saute until tender. Add the flour and the rest of the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add the throughly defrosted broccoli and cook a few minutes to incorporate. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a simmer, stir in the cheese until the mixture is hot and the cheese is blended in and melted. Stir in the cooked and drained noodles, bring back to a simmer, and serve.
Since cooler days are coming, I'm thinking hearty soup and salad meals for cold evening. The following is a very easy recipe and most people have no objection to hiding broccoli with a covering of cheese!
Broccoli Noodle Cheese Soup
2 cups noodles
10 ounces of frozen, chopped broccoli, thawed
1 onion, finely chopped
4 gloves of garlic, peeled, smashed, and diced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups processed cheese, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash chili flakes
5-6 cups of milk
Cook the noodles until just tender. Set aside for now.
Melt the butter in another pot, add the onion, garlic, and saute until tender. Add the flour and the rest of the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add the throughly defrosted broccoli and cook a few minutes to incorporate. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a simmer, stir in the cheese until the mixture is hot and the cheese is blended in and melted. Stir in the cooked and drained noodles, bring back to a simmer, and serve.
Our Conscience isn't Democratic?
Definition of Conscience
The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong: Let your conscience be your guide.This definition is in line with my idea of a conscience. It is our free will at work to be a part of society without inflicting our beliefs on said society. It is the blessing of acting and believing within the realm of morality in how we interact and give example. Our conscience is what makes us a person which is why formation of a conscience is an important aspect of growing up.
We are also blessed to live in a country where we can live by the precepts of our conscience as long as we act and live responsibly. Yes, there are variations in our beliefs because we all have different conscience makeups but the one challenge we face is allowing each to make their own decisions based on the formation of their conscience.
Knowing and believing this, I was shocked to have the former Speaker of the House demean the Catholic conscience because the majority of us go by the Commandment Thou Shalt Not Kill and we believe/know that abortion does stop a beating heart.
The former Speaker of the House wants everyone’s tax dollars to fund abortion regardless of their conscience. According to her, "They (meaning practicing Catholics) would let women die on the floor." The former Speaker of the House should check back on records as she would probably discover there have been more abortion related deaths since the legalization of abortion. Besides, if something goes against out Faith and our conscience, as a Democratic society, shouldn’t we have a choice as to where our tax dollars are spent?
"I’m a devout Catholic and I honor my faith and love it . . . but they have this conscience thing [about abortion]," added Pelosi. The Catholic Church’s stand on abortion is very different from the former Speaker of the House’s agenda on abortion. She has either never really studied her Faith or chooses a cafeteria-style way of honoring her faith. Can’t blame her 100% as she is still given Communion at her parish. No, the archbishop cannot judge the state of her soul but he can judge her outward actions. I can only believe he never reads the news or is a coward when it comes to his own stand on the Church.
The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong: Let your conscience be your guide.This definition is in line with my idea of a conscience. It is our free will at work to be a part of society without inflicting our beliefs on said society. It is the blessing of acting and believing within the realm of morality in how we interact and give example. Our conscience is what makes us a person which is why formation of a conscience is an important aspect of growing up.
We are also blessed to live in a country where we can live by the precepts of our conscience as long as we act and live responsibly. Yes, there are variations in our beliefs because we all have different conscience makeups but the one challenge we face is allowing each to make their own decisions based on the formation of their conscience.
Knowing and believing this, I was shocked to have the former Speaker of the House demean the Catholic conscience because the majority of us go by the Commandment Thou Shalt Not Kill and we believe/know that abortion does stop a beating heart.
The former Speaker of the House wants everyone’s tax dollars to fund abortion regardless of their conscience. According to her, "They (meaning practicing Catholics) would let women die on the floor." The former Speaker of the House should check back on records as she would probably discover there have been more abortion related deaths since the legalization of abortion. Besides, if something goes against out Faith and our conscience, as a Democratic society, shouldn’t we have a choice as to where our tax dollars are spent?
"I’m a devout Catholic and I honor my faith and love it . . . but they have this conscience thing [about abortion]," added Pelosi. The Catholic Church’s stand on abortion is very different from the former Speaker of the House’s agenda on abortion. She has either never really studied her Faith or chooses a cafeteria-style way of honoring her faith. Can’t blame her 100% as she is still given Communion at her parish. No, the archbishop cannot judge the state of her soul but he can judge her outward actions. I can only believe he never reads the news or is a coward when it comes to his own stand on the Church.
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