Keeping it Going.

Foods Charlie does NOT actually like. . . .


  - Bananas
  - Cinnamon
  - Lemons/lines/oranges
  - Coffee
  - Raw garlic & onion


At least I never have to worry about him drinking my coffee. That would be an immediate trip to the pound.  He's already annoying enough. For example, right this moment he is eating my only good belt. Sigh.




I'm trying to get things going. I've been busy and then when I'm not busy, I just want to be lazy.  Or craft. Or watch movies. Or read a book. All these things, that I enjoy. And, do that thing where I spend time with God. That never happens though.  I don't really need to say more about that. . .




Craft!

It was a photo frame from Target for I think $25.  Some photos "pop" out, but it was really frustrating to use because some frames were so deep, so the hinges were breaking and I broke a few of the glass pieces too. So, I said forget that, I made different designs on all the cardboard backing pieces.  I painted, used stencils, modge-podged.  It was great. And I bought those fancy little window shutters at Michael's. 




Also, if you are really in the mood for some sweet vanilla cookies, I made these vanilla bean "pillow" cookies.  


Preheat oven to 350 Degrees


1 1/2 C flour
1/2 C confectioner's sugar
1/4 C cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt (the recipe called for 1/4 tsp, but it was looking very sweet)
1 vanilla bean
1 C cold, cubed butter


Add all dry ingredients into electric mixing bowl and sift. Then split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the flour mixture. Next, add the cubed butter.  Mis on medium-low speed until dough just comes together.  Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Cook for about 10-12 minutes (I eyed it).  Now in the recipe I used, it said that once you remove the cookies from the oven let them cool on a  wire rack for 5 minutes. Then, in a medium bowl roll them in vanilla sugar and then place them back on the rack to cool completely.  The vanilla sugar tasted great, but it was a little too sweet for me (plus vanilla sugar isn't always just hanging around for people like me), so I did a cinnamon sugar mixture. More sugar than cinnamon because the cinnamon can stick a little too much, but they came out great! 


Cookies are great!