Slow Start

Happy 2015!

So I realize it's the middle of February, but I pretty much took a month off from all baking.  Instead I worked on my research for my thesis; I gotta finish that up before this baby comes. Do you realize this second baby comes in 2 weeks!  I've realized that, however, my mind has been on so many other things that I haven't really thought about this baby.  Oh well, second child syndrome or something.

Though I didn't bake hardly at all in January, February has been busier.  

I did bake two cookies in January, but it was for a Christmas party that took place on January 31st due to recurring sicknesses that necessitated constant rescheduling, so technically, here's two more batches that "I made for Christmas".

#186 Cherry Chocolate Chip Biscotti

This seemed like a winter cookie.  It would be great dipped in coffee.  

I really have nothing else to say about this cookie or events surrounding this cookie. - sorry

#187 Delicate Mint Thins

Right before the family Christmas party, my cousin asked on Facebook about girl scout cookies coming out.  Though I don't have any children of girl scout age, or even a girl, I though these cookies sounded like the Girl scout Thin Mints - or whatever fancy name they're using for the cookies.  Names like treffidoal or whatever that gives you no hint to what the cookie may actually be.  

Alas, I didn't trump the Girl Scouts thin mint recipe with this cookie.  They turned out very soft - when I think most people expected their to be some crunch.  It was a mint cookie dipped in chocolate.  They looked impressive.  So sorry readers, I guess you'll have to stick to paying $4.00 a box for your thin mints - I haven't found any replacement recipe yet.

#188 Chocolate Cappuccino Cookies

There must be something about the cold and winter that has me associating cookies and coffee.  Though I'm not actually a coffee drinker at all, these cookies just sound good.  I made this batch for a crafting retreat - figured it would be a good way to get rid of them, since as I mentioned, I don't like coffee.  Mike and I gave them a 3 - they look wonderful - but again, it's the coffee.  Maybe I should make them next time without the tablespoon of instant coffee.  Coffee drinkers on the other hand rated them: delicious.

#189 Beary Cute Cookies  

Our neighbors invited us over for a pizza party, so naturally, another excuse to make a batch of cookies.  These were fun to make - though rolling all the balls got a little time consuming.  I especially liked that multiple people commented on the effort I made to match the eyes.  

#190 Fire Truck Cookies

It's birthday season!  This time next year will be really birthday season with my son's birthday in February, baby's birthday about 2 weeks later, my brother's birthday 2 weeks after that, mine and my nephews birthday the end of March and my Dad's birthday right away in April.  Anyway, I go a little theme crazy it turns out when I throw a birthday party for my child.  This year's theme: anything to do with transportation.  A planes, trains, automobile, construction vehicle party.  I even made my first birthday cake (see below).  These fire truck graham cracker cookies from the shortcut creation chapter lent themselves well to the party.  However, shortcut my butt.  I think I spent more time on these cookies than all the 4 other cookies in this blog combined.  Do you know how hard it is to find black rope licorice?  I went to five different stores - no luck.  I decided black decorator's frosting (for the ladder and window) had to suffice.  If you like frosting - these cookies are yummy.  Graham cracker, red frosting, oreos, and a gum drop. (by the way, where can I find gum drops - not spice drops?  Cub - no.)  All the food was transportation related.  The hot dogs were called train rails.  We had Up in the Sky (blue with cool whip) jello.  We had train cars with the produce car, lumber car (pretzel sticks) and veggie car.  The fruit was green grapes, yellow pineapples and red strawberries on a fruit skewer to make stop lights.  The beans that Mom brought was construction debris.  We had stop lights for the condiments for the hot dogs and red, green and yellow chip dips (salsa, guacamole and cheese).  

I'm not sure how much Joey appreciated it, but I had fun - I think.  Joey does still drive the construction vehicles around (below) and says "cake"!