Things That Make Me Smile

I spent some time the last couple of days going through my 2022 notebook and setting up the new one for 2023.  I came across this that I had written in the beginning of January.  Unfortunately, I have no idea who wrote this or where I found it, but it made me smile so I wanted to share here.

Of all the winter months, January unfolds like the deepest slumbers.  It closes in like the darkest part of the night; that utter blackness where dreams are found then forgotten by morning.  But despite its dark and sleepy facade, this month also brings us the gift of new beginnings.

Linked to the ancient Roman god Janus, this is the month of duality.  Janus has two faces; one looks forward and the other back.

Door opening and closing.

A death and a rebirth. 

A time to mull over ideas.

A time to work on being well rooted so we can bloom in the Spring.

Wishing everyone a safe and very Happy New Year!!  I hope 2023 will be a kind year for us all.

5 Favorite Pies

Pie is by far my favorite dessert. Growing up both my grandmother and Mom made delicious pies. When I moved out on my own apple and pumpkin were the first ones I made.  At that time, I used the Pillsbury pie crusts.  I don't know why, but I was intimidated by pie crust.  I finally got over that and realized just how easy pie dough really is.

A few years ago, one of my cooking challenges was to make a different pie each month for a year.  That was fun and I may do that again this year.

My top favorite pies in no particular order are...

Apple - I usually use an apple cookie cutter to make the top crust.  I didn't have a picture of one baked but it turns out really nice.

Pumpkin

Boston Cream

Coconut Cream

Cherry (this one I prefer in hand pies as they can be too much in a true slice of pie)

Culinary Adventures with Lori: Search results for cherry pie

Are you a pie fan?  What is your favorite?

My Weekly W's - Christmas 2022

What's top of my mind:  I had a little quiet time before the house woke up to think about Christmas past, present and future.  I'm missing family and friends who are no longer here.  While my heart is filled with Christmas spirit, the day does bring up all kinds of memories and feelings.

Where I've been:  I worked Monday through Thursday. Tuesday we were able to go to the Light show at Cedarhurst since the weather wasn't too bad.  Friday, we spent the day inside to avoid the brutal cold front and Christmas Eve we went out to breakfast.  It was actually very good which isn't always the case.

Where I'm going:  We both have the week off so the options are limitless.  Tomorrow we are doing a bit of grocery shopping.  Wednesday, we have a reservation at Firefly.  Other than that, we're going to take the week day by day.

What I'm watching:  I watched a LOT of Christmas movies this week.  If you have Netflix be sure to check out Love Hard.  It was a really cute movie and we both enjoyed it.

What I'm reading:  Not much.  I hope to have more time to read over the next few months.

What I'm listening to:  Right now, it's very quiet since I'm the only one up.  Binx is even still snuggled in bed.

What I'm eating:  

Chicken stir fry, veggies and rice

Beef sausage with onion and pepper and roasted cauliflower

Chili with jalapeno poppers

Poached eggs with toast

Moroccan lamb meat balls, rice and naan

Lasagna, salad and garlic knots

Today were having bone in turkey breast, ham and tons of sides

Who needs a good slap:  Skipping again for the holidays.  Next week I'll be bringing the slaps back.

What I'm planning:  I'll spend some time this week setting up my new notebook for the year with all of my lists and intentions for the year.

What's making me smile:  We rarely have snow on Christmas here so looking out and seeing the snow brings a smile to my face.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day no matter how you choose to spend it.

Merry Christmas!!

Baby it's cold outside!

I hope everyone is staying warm.  The next three days are way below average but starting Monday back in the 30's and 40's so I can't complain.  My heart goes out to all of you that live in places that go through months of this.  I don't think I could.

Below are Christmas scenes from my little corner of the world.  Merry Christmas everyone!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:

I remind myself of this daily.

Where I've been: I worked Monday thru Friday and am happy with what I was able to get done to prepare for being off 10 days between Christmas and NY.  We went to Target and the grocery store for a few things yesterday and had a nice lunch at Drakes in O'Fallon.  I can't remember going anywhere else.

Where I'm going: This is the last work week of the year.  Thursday we're doing lunch together to celebrate.  I also have a dentist appointment this week.  Other than that, I don't plan on going anywhere else if I can help it.

What I'm watching: I watched a couple of cute Christmas movies this week. Also a few Christmas baking shows.

What I'm reading: I did read a bit of Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies yesterday while riding to O'Fallon.  It's taking me forever.   Not that it isn't a good book, I've just been doing other things instead of picking it up and reading.

What I'm listening to:  Nothing in particular.

What I'm eating:  

Bacon, veggie and cheese omelet with toast and home fries

Cheeseburger and oven fries

Indian spiced meatballs, rice and naan

Fried chicken, mac and cheese and a salad

Beef and noodles, bread  (This was the best meal.  It was so tender and flavorful)

Grits and egg for the big guy.  I was still full from lunch.

Who needs a good slap:  On hold but will resume after NY

What I'm planning: Everything for the near future is pretty well planned out so not much to think about this week.

What's making me smile:  This gorgeous gift from a coworker This was at work when it was delivered. I need to take a picture with the candle in it here at home. So pretty.

Russian teacakes, Mexican wedding cookies or Snowballs?

I did a quick google search and found the term "Mexican weeding cookie or cake" did not appear in the American vocabulary until the early 1950s, after which the term appeared in virtually every basic baking cookbook.  At the same time, recipes for "Russian teacakes" began disappearing from the same books.  Both are virtually the exact same thing in both ingredients, method and final product.  Many historians speculate that the term Mexican wedding cookie/cake was used to replace the term Russian teacake due to strained US relationships with Russia at the time.

In English, they are referred to as Mexican wedding cookies or Mexican wedding cakes, which is slightly misleading as they are not cakes nor do they replace a traditional wedding cake in a Mexican wedding reception.  The cookies, known in Mexico as biscochitos, appear at either the dessert bar or on plates distributed among tables.  In Mexico they are made either in ball or crescent shapes.

My maternal Grandmother made these every Christmas.  I believe she referred to them as Mexican wedding cookies but I have heard both and also snowballs.  I've even heard them called Italian Wedding cookies.

This was her recipe:

1 Cup unsalted butter softened slightly

1 3/4 Cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 Cups all purpose flour

1 cup pecans, chopped into small bits

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and salt until well combined. (Can also use a regular mixer)

Mix in vanilla.

Blend in flour.  It will seem dry at first but keep mixing, it will come together.

Mix in pecans.

Scoop dough out 1 tablespoon at a time and shape into balls.  Transfer to baking sheet.  Bake in preheated oven for about 13-14 minutes.

Let cool on a rack for about 10 minutes.

Roll warm cookies one at a time in remaining powdered sugar.  Transfer back to rack and let cool completely then roll in powdered sugar once more to cover.  Store in airtight container.

What name do you associate with these cookies?  Whatever you call them, they are my favorite cookie of all time.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: Staying healthy.  So many people are sick with colds, flu and covid.  One of the doc's told me there was a patient with both the flu and covid but she actually was less sick than some.  I have two very busy weeks ahead at work before I take the week between Christmas and NY off so I'm really trying to avoid everyone.  

Where I've been:  I worked all week, made a quick trip to Kroger for fresh veggies and fruit and the big guy and I had lunch at our local Italian place yesterday.  Other than that, I was home.

Where I'm going: Next Saturday we're going out of town to do some shopping.  We have a few things to pick up at Target, Barnes and Noble and get the rest of what we need for the Holidays.  

What I'm watching:  I watched both Christmas Chronicles movies again.  I just love them both.  The big guy prefers the first one, but I think they're both equally good movies.

What I'm reading: I pulled out a stack of my Christmas cookbooks and magazines to flip through.  NY eve we always have an appetizer night and I'm always looking for new ones to try.  I have always loved a big selection of tasty appetizers.

What I'm listening to: Right now I'm listening to Binx zoom through the house.  We've had 8 cats over the last 30 some years and I have never experienced anyone like him.  He has SO much energy.  He has started to spring off of the hallway wall and sliding glass door.  He has one toy that he hisses at when he can't get ahold of it.  I bought him a leash so when the weather is better I can take him out to roam around the backyard.  

What I'm eating: 

LO chili with jalapeno poppers I made the poppers the same way I usually do but used crushed nacho chips instead of breadcrumbs for the top and they were very good.

Egg rolls and rice

LO Brunswick stew with a slice of my favorite bread

Pizza and Salad

Meatloaf, baked potato and salad

BIG salad since we had a larger than normal lunch

Who needs a good slap: On pause still for the Holiday season.

What I'm planning:  I've started my list of things to get next week.  I want to make sure I get everything, so I don't have to go inside of a store until after the NY.

What's making me smile: There is a nursing home two houses down across the street from us and they put up a free little library.  It is so cute and now I have another place to take books I've read.  

I hope everyone is staying healthy and enjoying the holiday season.  I know this time of year can bring us down which is ok as long as we don't stay there too long and wallow.  Remember to look for the joys no matter how small.

It's beginning to look like Christmas 2

The tree looks a bit different this year.  There are no ornaments on the bottom foot or so and I didn't put everything on it like the crystal icicles because it is just too much temptation for Binx.  All and all he has done pretty good for as much energy as he has.

I gifted Binx the use of Jet's stocking.  It's still hard to believe he's been gone almost an entire year.  I still miss him.

It's cold and rainy so what better day to start my Christmas baking?  I'm making pecan, chocolate chip cookies and pecan nut cups that will go in the freezer.  Next weekend I'll make the peanut butter blossom cookies and the wedding cookies then I'll get all of the tins filled for delivery.

I've added the links for two of the treats and the first It's beginning to look like Christmas post.  I love looking back, especially this time of year.

I hope everyone is staying warm and has a great Saturday. 

Pecan Nut Cups   Culinary Adventures with Lori: Five days until 2021    

Peanut Butter Blossoms   Culinary Adventures with Lori: Peanut Butter Blossoms

Christmas Past  Culinary Adventures with Lori: It's beginning to look like Christmas

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  How much I love this time of year.  For me, it's not just about Christmas day but the entire Christmas season that makes me happy.  I love having the house decorated inside and out almost giving off a glow from the lights and candles, making being home on these cold, dark nights cozy.  We bought a new tree this year for the living room that I love and so far, knock on wood, Binx has been pretty good about leaving it alone.

Where I've been: I worked all week which was a bit difficult after a couple of short weeks.  I have 10 days off at the end of the month, so I have a lot to make sure I get done before then.  I did a bit of food shopping yesterday and made a trip to Hobby Lobby for a couple of things. 

Where I'm going:  Other than work I'm not sure what we're doing yet.  It is supposed to be a pretty chilly and rainy week so we will see.

What I'm watching: Christmas movies.  

What I'm reading: Looking through various cookbooks for ideas.  The seed catalogs are arriving as well, but I'll save those for February Garden planning. 

What I'm listening to: I pulled out my Christmas CDs to listen to in the car while riding around.  Stevie Nicks version of Silent Night is one of my favorites.

What I'm eating:  Sunday I made a big pot of Brunswick stew with all of the leftover turkey.  It was delicious and now I have a few lunches or dinners ready in the freezer.

I pulled out the uncooked pan of stuffed shells that I made a couple of weeks ago and we enjoyed that with a salad and garlic bread.

Chicken Tikka Masala, rice and Naan

BIG salad x 2

Lamb burgers and oven fries.  It's been a while since I've made one and it hit the spot for us both.

Last night I made a big pot of beef and bean chili adding more leftovers to the freezer for easy meals over the next couple of weeks.

Who needs a good slap: This is on pause for the Holiday season.

What I'm planning: This week I hope to finalize the holiday meals for Christmas and New Year's. I will also start my holiday baking next week.  I make 3 or 4 things that freeze well and will make the things that do not freeze well right before putting the tins of sweets together for our friends.  We'll have one tin to snack on between Christmas and New Year's for us.

What's making me smile: Our community is filled with loving people that are there for each other.  It is so nice to see the town rally around anyone that is in need. This is the first small town I have lived in and while it was culture shock at first, now almost 18 years later I wouldn't choose to live anywhere else.

I hope everyone is staying warm and safe.