Tuesday, November 29, 2011

**Grand Opening** {My Etsy Shop}

I am excited to share my new etsy shop with you!!



I love crafting
I love making gifts
and sometimes when I love something, I make a whole bunch :)...so an etsy shop seemed like the perfect place for those things.
I hope to add more handmade items, and maybe even some fun treasures I find along the way...so stop in from time to time!
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Giving Thanks~

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving~
Cheers!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies {In My Kitchen}

...and the Pumpkin train moves on :)

 I really have no idea how I stumble upon some of these recipes, but once again,
I am so glad I did!


Thank goodness for GOOGLE and the ability to go back and find the source :)
This recipe is from Curly Girl Kitchen, and WOW are they delicious!!
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Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies


(makes about 3 dozen cookies / 18 whoopie pies)

pumpkin snickerdoodles:


•1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

•1 cup granulated sugar, plus 3 tablespoons, divided

•1 egg

•1 teaspoon vanilla

•1 cup canned pumpkin puree

•2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

•1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, divided

•1/2 teaspoon salt

•1 teaspoon baking soda

•1 teaspoon baking powder

•2 teaspoons cream of tartar



cream filling:
•1 egg white

•2 tablespoons milk

•1 teaspoon vanilla

•2 cups powdered sugar

•1 stick plus 2 tablespoons (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

1. Make the cookies:



In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and 1 cup sugar on medium speed for about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Add the pumpkin and beat until well combined.



In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cream of tartar. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the dry ingredients by spoonfuls to the batter. Mix just until combined.



Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough for two hours.



Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon. Form the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place the balls 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes.



Slide the Silpat or parchment paper off the cookie sheet and cool cookies completely.


2. Make the cream filling.

Using the whisk attachment on your mixer, beat the egg white for 2 minutes until foamy. Add the milk and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and the butter and beat for several minutes to combine. Add the remaining cup of powdered sugar and beat for 8-10 minutes until cream filling is very light and fluffy.



Spoon dollops of the filling onto the underside of half the cooled cookies and top with another cookie. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Seeing the difference {Photography}

I was one of the lucky winners of a giveaway to participate in Lisa's (The Long Road to China)
 photography course
"Get out of the Auto zone"
We have had 3 on-line classes so far, with this week being our last
I can't say I "totally" get it, but I am "getting" it!

Here are a few of my "homework" assignments that I shot in MANUAL :)
while sitting on my porch...I still cannot believe that I took these with my kit lens!








These two below really proved to me what can happen when you turn that dial to Manual
This first photo I took in manual


and the photo below, I took in Auto w/no flash
I cannot believe the difference in color..the above is so vibrant
so..needless to say, I am convinced that I must
"stay out of the auto zone" :)



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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Its November!!

I am so excited that today is November 1st...it means

~the insane month of October is OVER for my sweet hardworking husband

~my sweet boy comes home for break in a little more than 2 weeks

~Thanksgiving is a mere 3 weeks away!

~I still can make LOTS of pumpkin goodies...like these pumpkins scones with maple glaze


~the fireplace will be on more often

~we will celebrate Blake's 17th

~I am left with this memory of Halloween night :)


~there will be LOTS more soup being made

~the Christmas music will be playing...NON-STOP

ahh...I love November!