Off to a good start

So I figured this project would take me 12 years.  There are 623 recipes.  If I make 52 a year (so average one batch a week) - that's 12 years.  So far I'm close to being on target.  I started this project in October of 2011.  I am up to 278 batches completed.  I only needed to be at 260 by this past October - and 312 by this October.  So 32 more batches this year (before October - October is more than 32 weeks away, right?  Maybe it's not?

Anyways, I got my 4 batches done for the month of January.

#275 Fudge Filled Brownies
So when you only make 7 batches of cookies for Christmas (instead of 10 or more batches), you don't have a ton of leftover cookies in January.  Being 6 months pregnant and only craving junk; I wanted some junk around.  So I made these.  Not as good as you would think by looking at the recipe title.  But a 3 year old doesn't mind.

#276 Chocolate Caramel Wafers

Now these were as good as they sound (and a shortcut cookie - so quick and easy).

Just take a package of vanilla wafers and mix a caramel filling.  (14oz of caramels and 1/4 cup evaporated milk) - microwave till melted and stir until smooth.

Spread the caramel over the wafers and put on an ungreased baking sheet.  Top each cookie with a hershey bar square and melt in the oven (at 225) for 1-2 minutes.  Spread the chocolate.  You can sprinkle chopped pecans over it if you desire.

The kids are really good at helping.  My almost 2 year old is in training and the almost 4 year old can practically do it himself. 

#277 Fudge Topped Orange Cookies

Yay - girls weekend at the cabin with no children.  But the only junk we ate was these cookies that I brought.

Not that we weren't up to some other fun stuff. Check out our mannequin challenge:

https://www.facebook.com/tanell.fisher/videos/10154798165491399/

Not sure if you'll be able to see it, it's on my friends facebook page, can't download it.

#278 Ginger Diamonds

I made this batch for our staff potluck; thinking that it's one that doesn't look that great, but teachers eat everything - so I'll just get it out of the way.

Don't you know, it turned out pretty good.  Very soft - texture amazing.  Mike (husband) doesn't love ginger cookies, but he's been sneaking some of these before they're off to work tomorrow.  

Christmas Wrap Up

So as usual, I'm behind.  So look at this pretty picture of batches 268-274.

So I'm even further behind than just my Christmas cookies:

265 Cinnamon Almond Crescents
I made these for our bi-annual crafty women retreat where I spent approximately 20 hours sitting in a chair killing myself in order to try and get this cross stitch done.  It's a 40 page pattern and I have 5 pages left.  So far I have over 2000 hours into this project.  All for my daughter - I'm not going to use it later to guilt her - never ever.

I realize its upside down.  I don't care right now.

266 Butterscotch Peanut Bars
I love not having to make lunch.  I'd rather make a batch of bars then have to make lunch for work.  Yay for the social committee and the potato bar!


267 Browned Butter Spritz

Sometimes teachers have it way harder than I should.  It doesn't make sense to base pay on merit - because the really good teachers, sometimes gets the hardest students.  This has been happening to one teacher on my team lately - she's had a rough year.  So I baked her this batch of cookies.  Browned butter inside a spritz cookie.