Cookies

My first batch of Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chip cookies are in the oven.  I actually followed the recipe on the back of the package this time instead of just winging it.  I have made choc chip cookies so many times that I usually don't follow a recipe.  I guess I am starting a new chapter in my baking and cooking.  I am going to start paying more attention to recipes and trying new things.

I think I have over 150 to 200 cookbooks.  I don't have all of them unpacked.  I think some are still sitting up in the attic.  My important ones are unpacked however and I think they number in at least the 75 range.  I have a hideous corner by my itty-bitty kitchen.  It has my cookbook shelf and my stereo...a REAL stereo with a record player.  There is also a large green storage bucket filled to the overflowing with vinyl records.  I don't have anywhere to put them! I need to find some kind of shelf that will accomodate my vast and ever-growing collection.  Also sitting in the corner is a broken drawer from my kitchen cabinets.  <sigh> I really need a kitchen make-over.  I did finally take down the wall paper and put one coat of very light lemony yellow on the walls.  It really needs a second coat.  I also had taken all the cabinet doors off.  My original intent was to paint my cabinets this very sunny, bright yellow.  That fell by the wayside when I lost my job, my ceiling in the dining room burst and then I got a new job 114 miles away.  The kitchen now makes me sad.  We have lost the hardware for the doors somewhere when the disaster of the ceiling cave-in happened.  I don't even know what to do with it anymore.

GOSH! Somewhere in the midst of typing about something inane as cookies, my thoughts took a drastic turn to the meloncholy.  I don't totally know how that happened.

I guess I will log off for the moment and go get my cookies out of the oven!!

Thrift store score!

The girls and I went to the local thrift store after going out to eat for lunch.  I found an awesome cookbook called "Patriots Delicious Delights".  It was put out by the Stenography II class at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach.  There is no date but as it is from a stenography class I am guessing it is at least from the early 1970's?  It has some water damage to it but otherwise it is in good shape.  I think I am going to dig through it and find a sweet recipe to try!

The first recipe is called "Alaskan Sandwiches" by Lynn Bolduc. It lists using a package of Pillsbury Plus Devil's Food Chocolate or Chocolate Mint cake mix. I don't think I have ever heard of a Chocolate Mint cake mix! This definately must be from the 1970's. I will have to go to good ole' Mr. Google and see what comes up when I look for chocolate mint cake mix! It sounds interesting. I wonder how it bakes up, if the mint is over powering or not. The recipe says to bake the cake in jelly roll pans and then is cut into squares. A 1/2 gallon of Neapolitan ice cream is then cut into squares and put between two slices of cake. It sounds yummy!

I went to www.pillsburybaking.com and checked out the cake mixes.  I did not see any chocolate mint! I guess that was a long time ago. Anyway! I am going to keep reading this cookbook and will update when I find some more interesting recipes.

Heritage....

Sometimes I wonder what has happened to families in America? Very few are actually "americans".  We come from many different countries.  My family, for example, hails from Ireland, Scotland, England and many other countries.  My geneology research has been quite extensive.  Yet, none of our traditions were saved.  There is not one thing that I can point to that we do because we are Irish or Scottish.  We barely have traditions we keep for holidays.

African Americans have Kwanza.  Jewish people have so many things they observe and keep.  What did my my family teach me to keep? There is really nothing I can point to. What have I taught my children to keep? Nothing really.

What traditions shall I embrace? What ways shall I honor my heritage? Is it really important? Do traditions add value to one's life, one's existance?  I am not really sure.

There are things I hold sacred.  These things were imparted to me by my mother and I hope I have imparted them to my children.  They are so important to me that when others do not observe them, I get annoyed.  What are these things?

1.  During the church service, while the pastor is preaching, one should remain seated and quiet, listening to what he is talking about.  This is not the time to get up and go to the bathroom.  My goodness, the service only lasts an hour, bathroom time should wait until after or go before.

2.  During the offertory, it is NOT a time to chat and catch up.  Be reverent.  Be quiet.

3.  During the invitation, this is the most sacred time.  It is time for the Holy Spirit to urge people to accept Jesus.  This is not bathroom time.  This is not time to cut out early so you can get to Red Lobster before everyone else.  Be quiet.  Pray.

These things I have listed are so very sacred to me.  When others do not observe them, I get upset.  My children get sharp reminders from me when they forget, and they seldom do as they have been taught how important these things are to me.

SO....I am not sure what traditions I will keep.  I think 2012 will be a new year and a time to establish new traditions for my family.  I am not sure what they will be yet, but I can assure you that I will share them with you.....

The Holiday Menu

December 31st! New Year's Eve....I do not have an overly exciting menu composed but it is the one that my sweet husband has requested.  Tomorrow we are having Oven Fried Chicken, mash-a-taters, fried okra and maybe cornbread.

I have to confess, I have NEVER worked with fresh okra before.  Not even now.  I went to Bottom Dollar and got frozen, breaded okra made by Pictsweet.  It will do, of course, and my hubby will like it.  But I wonder, what would it take to make it from scratch? Is fresh okra really slimy like everyone says? And how about all that yummy breading? What should that be made out of?  Is it more trouble that it's worth? Should I stay rather "semi-homemade" and do it the way I have, pre-made? HMMM....I don't think okra is in season right now so I doubt I will find any fresh in the store.  <sigh> I guess for now, it will be the semi way!

I will be back later to finish setting up my blog...just wanted to get the first post out of the way.  I am off to run my baby boy to his friend's house!