Tomorrow is the day...maybe

It feels like we've been under construction for a year.  Actually, I think it has been a year.  We started rehabbing our basement last November.  And from there, we've gone room by room.  2 months ago (or longer now) our garage was torn down and a new garage floor was laid.  And nothing since then.  But if you go by my Dad's motto - there are three things you can get with construction: fast, good, and cheap. However, you can only get two of those - never 3.  We got good and cheap. 

So I've been told that tomorrow the framers are going to start building the new garage (and addition on top).  Tomorrow is a hard start date - or Wednesday.  Not sure.

The contractor is a friend of ours and because he is so good and is helping us out so much; the least I can do is make him cookies.  About 3 or 4 years ago I made a batch for our softball team (that I was on with our contractor).  He raved about those cookies; so I made a batch that is similar to that batch from 3 or 4 years ago.  A slice n bake cookie with coconut in it.

Husband rated them 5 out of 5 - so hopefully they're a hit.

317 Mom's Coconut Cookies:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup coconut

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.  Stir in coconut.  Shape into two 3 1/2 in. rolls; wrap each in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

Unwrap and cut into 1/8 in slices. (although seriously - cut this into an 1/8 inch - that's pretty thin and it's hard to make it that thin).  Place 2 in apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 425 for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool. 

Spreading a little cheer

I'm trying to stay true to my goal of blogging about the latest recipe on the same day I made it.  However, it's been 8 days since I last baked this batch, but it's been on my to-do list to post about this recipe since the day I made it ; )  But I at least got this post in before I make another batch. 

Not sure if you read a little post I wrote last spring about leaving my old school and not getting to interview for new jobs; it maybe came across as a little bitter.  But it's true what they say, it all works out in the end.  I managed to get the superintendent to bend the policy for me so that I could interview for jobs.  I'm at a new school this year, I'm loving where I am.  I have great co-workers and a great schedule.  As far as my old building; they have a new principal and so many people were cut last spring; that it is a very different staff.  We (the kids and I) brought this latest batch when we went to visit last week, because rumors are that they could use a little morale booster. 

#316 Cinnamon Brownies
Am I the only person who has to actually look up on YouTube how to make a batch of coffee?  This recipe called for 2 tbs of strong brewed coffee.  I should've just stopped at McDonald's or something but it was a Thursday night and I just wanted to get the brownies in the oven.

I made these because neither Mike or I like coffee and it seemed very much a "teacher's brownie".  But as usual, I guessed wrong and Mike liked these brownies too.  Alas, I gave them away again.