Homemade Coffee Creamer

It maybe the end of August but our high for today is only suspose to be 73, I have the A/C off and the windows open, enjoying a soft, cool breeze. This isn't our normal late August weather at all, but I'm not complaining, I'm planning. Making baking lists, you know those recipes you want to keep for cooler days, planning ahead to the holidays....yes, it's that time again. Fall brings so many special things, like festivals, pumpkins and yummy scented candles. I'm a sucker for fall candles! Another fall treat is homemade coffee creamer. I don't know about you, but I drink coffee each morning, all year round but it sure does taste better in fall and winter. Once in awhile I like to add a flavored creamer so spice up my morning and this one is my favorite! I'm cheap, I'll admit it so when I can make something and save money, I'm all over it!

Gingerbread Coffee Creamer
2 c. non dairy creamer
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. ginger
1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
Blend well. Place in a jar or other air tight container. To use: place 1 tsp. to coffee or tea. Enjoy!

This recipe can be changed to your liking by mixing up the spices for different blends. It also makes a nice gift. I think I'll have a cup of coffee and take myself a little break on the tree swing and enjoy the breeze. Happy Sunday!

Surprise Cookies

Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a cookie with a surprise middle! I found these on another blog and I had to share, after all, we all need a nice surprise now and then. And I have a bag of marshmallows that I need to use up so I will be making these sweet things over the weekend. Won't you join me? Makes about 2 dozen

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally
Chocolate Frosting for Surprise Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, milk, and vanilla, and beat until well combined. Add reserved flour mixture; mix on low speed until combined.

Using a tablespoon or 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies begin to spread and become firm, 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove baking sheets from oven, and place a marshmallow, cut-side down, in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Return to oven, and continue baking until marshmallows begins to melt, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting over each marshmallow, starting in the center and continuing outward until marshmallow is covered.

Frosting:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Place confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in butter and cocoa powder. Add milk and vanilla, and whisk until well combined.

Happy Fading Summer Days

And summer is fading, isn't it? You can start to see the trees lighten up, the air isn't so heavy. One of the best country pleasures is watching the wildlife around you, they can be entertaining but they also can predict the weather if you watch them regularly. I've noticed the squirrels coming in closer, like this one stealing fruit loops that I set out for the blue jays. And the blue jays screaming every morning for peanuts on the deck. Even the deer are coming up to the house in the mornings or evenings, raiding the apple tree. The hummers can't get enough "go juice" lately either, they are fueling up for the long trek south soon.

Like so many of you, I love fall. It's my favorite season, for the scents, the foliage, pumpkins and the chill in the air. Something about the way the air feels cleaner, lighter and sweet. As August comes to a end soon, and schools are back in session, this is the time to harvest hope. It's a refreshing uplift before winter keeps us locked inside. Enjoy your own wildlife, thank God for the easy summer and harvest baskets of hope, faith and promise that no matter the season, we will be ok. Happy fading summer days to you.....

Chocolate Banana Bread

Yep, I'm baking again, this pre-fall weather just begs me to bake and you know how much I love to bake in these conditions, plus, I got a bag of bananas real cheap and must use them up, so I searched the internet for banana bread recipes. I was looking for something different other than the old stand by, so when I saw this one with chocolate, I knew I had to try it. It smelt wonderful for hours in the house and the taste is mellow, perfect combo! But don't take my word for it, try it and let me know what you think?

Chocolate Banana Bread

1/2 c. walnuts

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. cocoa powder

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 lg. eggs

1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat over to 350. Grease a loaf pan well and set aside. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder, salt. Set aside.

In a med. bowl, combine mashed bananas, eggs, butter and vanilla. Mix well. Gently fold in wet mixture with dry till just combined. Batter will be thick. Fold in nuts and chocolate chips. Bake till the bread has risen, about 55-65 min. Place on wire rack to cool. Makes one loaf. Enjoy!

I changed the recipe just a bit, I used canola oil instead of butter for a moist bread. I do this alot and it works out great! I found it at www.joyofbaking.com check it out, tons of great recipes!

Tasha Tudor Day

If your a fan of the lovely and missed Tasha Tudor then please join me and Story Book Woods

in a Tasha Tudor Day. This woman was remarkable, her art and words have inspired me and many others to live a simple, joyful life. I first discovered Tasha at the library, her garden book took me away to a different time, a place I'd love to see someday. Her style of living is envied. She is missed. Come celebrate with us and let's keep her memory and life alive for generations to come and enjoy!

Best Brownies & Pan

I'm no kitchen guru but I do like my gadgets, so when a newbie hits the market, I'm game to give it a try, and this new perfect brownie pan won my approval, because we all know cutting brownies can be frustrating. It's going on my Christmas list, which I'm starting today! So, with the perfect brownie pan found and noted, I went to town searching for the best brownie recipe. What I found was thousands of recipes for any kind of brownie you had a taste for, but I was hunting for a simple, chewie brownie made from scratch. The box versions are good, but if you want the real thing, you have to go back to basics and this recipe does the job.

The Best Brownie

4 (1 oz.) unsweet chocolate baking squares
3/4 c. butter (yes, the real thing)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
3 large eggs
1 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 t. salt
Preheat oven to 350. Line a 8 in. baking pan with tinfoil and lightly grease. Microwave chocolate squares and butter for about 1 -2 min. till smooth and melted. Stirring every 30 seconds. Mix in sugars, blend well. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking to blend. Add flour, vanilla and salt. Pour batter into pan and bake for 40-45 min. or till a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool. Lift tinfoil out and cut. Enjoy!

With the seasonal change soon upon us, add this recipe to your fall baking list or if you can't wait, treat yourself and compare with the box options. And if your a big brownie fan, and who isn't, keep a eye out for the perfect brownie pan since you just read the perfect brownie recipe!

Summer Giveaway Winner

Summer is still hanging in there, isn't it? You can barely see a hint of yellow leaves clinging to the trees in the background here, this is our home sweet home, my haven where I create, cook, garden, craft, write, pray and live the life I've been so blessed with. I feel so close to God here, esp. in the gardens, tending to the flowers, harvesting the herbs and picking the produce. Each season (and we've lived here for all 4 now) brings new beginnings, new hopes and new fellowships with the land. If a place were ever to be meant for someone to take over, this place was meant for us, a connection that I just can't explain. I hope no matter where you live, that you've made your house a happy home.

And one of the 43 bloggers who left a sweet summer memory in my back to summer giveaway is a lucky lady today....... Tammy of Flat Creek Farm is the winner, plucked from my garden hat just minutes ago....congrats Tammy! Email me your address and I'll get your summer goodies out to you this week. And to the rest of you runner ups, please enjoy the rest of what this summer has to offer, enjoy your home too, it's your haven also!

Thursday's Thoughts

I just love blue flowers, even the invasive Morning Glory, they are blooming now each morning, covering my arch, making me smile. I can't resist a pretty flower! August is proving to resemble June, with mild fall like weather. I'm noticing the trees are starting to turn, leaves are yellowing and falling. Seems early to me, but Mother Nature knows best, I hope? Makes me wonder though, what lies ahead....I'm getting in the clean out, stock up mode. How about you? Do you change things up with the seasons? Do you like change? I welcome it in most cases, I don't like boredom!

Today is the anniversary of losing Julia Child, she passed away in 2004. I'm still waiting for the movie "Julie and Julia" to make it to my small town movie house and all her books are checked out at the library with a waiting list. But her PBS cooking show is coming back next month and they will also be releasing a DVD set. In her honor, I'll be making one of her famous chocolate cakes soon, just a little Julia fix till I can see the movie or get my hands on one of her books.

Have you left me a comment yet for my summer giveaway, it ends the 15th so you have till Saturday to get entered. Just scroll down to the post about the giveaway and share your favorite part of the summer with us. I'll draw a winner on Sunday, after church and lunch. Good luck!

Fall is only 40 days away, I think I can hold out to decorate till then, maybe? School starts here next week too, before we know it, it will be Christmas and then another new year. Why does time go by faster the older you get? Just a thought for today.......

National Smore's Day

I bet you didn't know that today is National Smore's Day, now did you? I didn't either till I heard it on the news this morning and thought it might make a good blog post for today. Who doesn't love a gooey smore? We sure do and have a firepit in the yard where we gather for get togethers and yes, making smores is always a favorite past time, esp. for the kids. What I didn't know was the many ways to make them, and this website offers several to choose from, so if you need a new combo for this old favorite check out CDKitchen for all the smores love you can handle! And thank a girl scout for creating this summer time treat, they made them famous and so tasty too! Oh, and you don't need a fire to make a smore, you can cheat and use the microwave so treat the family tonight and celebrate National Smore's Day in style!

Playing in the Kitchen

I'm so grateful that I'm patient! I've had my eye on a black bakers rack at Walmart for over a month, never intended to have another one but this one was just perfect for my kitchen but my budget didn't allow the $97 price tag, so I forgot about it. Then, one day I happened to stroll by the baker's rack and it was marked half off, but I still couldn't afford the $49 price tag, so I moved on.....

And guess what? A week later it was marked down to $30! Only one left, it came home with me! So, I've spent the last couple of days begging hubby to put it together for me and making room for it. What do you think? I like the little change, don't you? Now, if you remember from last year, I got my black hutch for $40 marked down from $150, so it does pay to be patient, it's hard to do sometimes, but it does pays off. I'm still tweaking and finding treasures but that's the fun of it, right! I love to change up the decor esp. for the seasons, and I'm holding myself back from digging out the fall goodies, but I'll be patient! lol

Grilled Banana's

You read it right, grilled nana's! It's me again with a odd ball recipe and another click to Southern Plate will reveal the recipe and step by step directions. It's funny how I came across this one. I'm a fan of hers on Facebook so I get a notice whenever a new post is posted. I had just got home from running to the store for charcoal so I can grill ribs tonight and I did pick up bananas along with 99 cent strawberries. When I read the title to her post on grilled bananas, I clicked right over to her blog and I knew I had to make them tonight since I just got the charcoal and nana's not 20 minutes earlier. So, that's on the menu for tonight, I'll let you know how we liked them. They can't be too bad with all that brown sugar and butter, I'll add a dash of cinnamon too. So, test your southern side and give these a try and let me know if you did! We can share comments! Got to love the South !

Summer is Back Giveaway!

I had a feeling August would make up for July, and it has. Today will be 90 and continue all week long. Can't complain really, July was cooler than June, that never happens? And so many bloggers in the northwest had over 100 temps? It's been a odd year, so far. So, I was thinking it was time for a giveaway, a summer related giveaway. Were all busy harvesting our gardens, canning, cooking and eating the bounty that I just may have to have the prize something to relax with, something fun! I'll come up with something, you know me! lol All you got to do is leave a comment here telling me what's been your favorite part of summer, so far. You have till the 15th to do so. Come on, share your summer with us a little! Spread the word too, I just hit 150 followers today, I can't believe it! You're all the best!

Birthday Baking

It's a good day to bake, esp. for a birthday and that is what I did today. My oldest son turns 32 tomorrow but were celebrating tonight with dinner at a local steak house then here for dessert. And let me tell you, I made some yummy desserts, all from scratch too thanks to Mommy's Kitchen. I made her peanut butter cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and the house still smells like heaven........so good! These can also be left unfrosted and ate like muffins, that's how my hubby likes them so I had to save some for him. I also made the rootbeer float cake a few posts down, and again, a slice of heaven! The frosting is the best I've ever had!

Peanut Butter Cupcakes & PB Frosting

2/3 c. shortening ( I use canola oil)

1 1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 c. peanut butter

3/4 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. baking powder

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour

Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add peanut butter and beat well. Add milk and vanilla alternately with the baking powder and flour. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20-25 min. or till golden brown. Cool.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1 16oz. box powdered sugar

1 stick butter

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3-4 Tbsp. milk

Cream powdered sugar and butter together, add peanut butter. Mix well, add vanilla and enough milk to make it easy to spread. Beat mixture till you have the consistency you want. Frost cupcakes when cool.

Birthday or no birthday, add this one to your files, it's a keeper and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!! We love you!