Real Farmwives of America: Holidays on the Farm

Dear Reader-- 
We are making major progress on my kitchen repair/remodel. Floor is in. Cabinets and counters tomorrow.
Rumor is that I might have running water by tomorrow! 
It's the little things really... just sayin'
I have a slew of recipes and a GREAT giveaway coming up very soon... in the meantime, my gal pals and fellow Real Farmwives and Friends are blogging all about Holidays on the Farm today... Hop on over to our joint Facebook page and you will have access to all of their blogs in one great place!
Happy New Year!!!

Under Construction

Dear Reader,
I haven't left ya... although truth be told I WAS almost taken out in a freak mishap with our Christmas Tree, but that is another story for another day.

Anyhoo... just wanted to drop you a note to say I am alive and will be back with you shortly. I am currently occupied with  a major repair/ renovation of the kitchen sorts...

Photos and much more cooking to come... promise ;)

Merry Christmas!

Goode & Gooseberry Project: Frosted Orange Cookies

This yummy recipe intrigued me from the beginning of my Goode & Gooseberry Patch Project.

I KNEW right away that it was going to be in my Christmas baking plans.

Truth be told, I haven't got around to all those plans... ya see I wasn't planning on having my entire kitchen ripped up...

Long story...

It starts with a naughty fridge that had been secretly leaking for like ages... and ends with cardboard covered floors and a scheduled repair (and much-sooner-than-expected renovation) for next week. Now if you look at your handy dandy calendar you will see that the scheduled repair is AFTER the holidays... and that is my excuse for not baking as much as I wanted (but--truth be told--wayyy more than I needed ;) and I am sticking to it.

Anyhoo-- back to the cookies.

Grab 2 navel oranges

And zest those babies with a microplane into a blender.

Then peel and quarter the oranges and toss them in to--sans peels.

Blend until smooth.

Measure out 3/4 cup and set aside.

Now mix 1/2 cup of butter flavored shortening

with 1 cup of sugar

Now add 1/2 cup milk

and 6 T of the orange mixture

Meanwhile mix your dry goods... flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

Gradually mix in the flour mixture with the shortening.

Drop teaspoonfuls onto a lined or greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack...

Meanwhile, whip up your icing. Melt 1 T Butter

Add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Toss in the remaining orange mixture

Blend up the icing

Now frost them cookies!

Yummy!

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!

Spelling with Daddy

Heaven help me...

Goode & Gooseberry Project: Maple Drop Cookie

These Maple Drop Cookies from my Goode & Gooseberry Patch Project are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie plates. 

They have unique and old fashion flavor. They are sweet and sandy. Yum!

They start where all GOODe cookies should... butter... 1 cup-softened

Mix it together with 3/4 cup sugar until smooth

Super Mommy Secret Alert: 

When gradually adding sugar or flour to a mixin' bowl, I like to use the smaller measuring cups 1/3 or 1/4 cup  vs. the full sized cup to add just a little at a time--measuring all the while. (Example: 1/4 x 3 scoops vs. 3/4 cup)

Then I added in 1 t salt and 1 1 /2 t maple flavoring 

Then 2 cups flour--again using my smaller cups to gradually add to my mixer :)

Now scoop teaspoonfuls onto a lined or greased sheet. (Shout-out for Silpat Nonstick Silicone Baking Mats... I am sooo in love with these puppies!)

Now have the cutest 3 year old you know help you push the pecans on top of each cookie.

Now bake 'em up in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

Santa will love these little bundles of yumminess!

Enjoy!

Linked to:

Made By You Mondays

Works for Me Wednesdays

Life As Mom's Cookie Exchange

And the winner is...

Drumroll Please....

The winner of my Gooseberry Patch 101 Cupcake, Cookie and Brownie Recipes Cookbook Giveaway is...

My dear bloggy friend Ott, A. over at A Latte with Ott, A.! Congrats Amy!!!

I know you will exploring this great new cookbook BEFORE anyone can buy it!

Everyone else should check back next week. I will be giving away ANOTHER Gooseberry Patch Cookbook BEFORE you can buy it... Homestyle in a Hurry.

Merry Christmas!

Bloggy Business Cards That Don't Break the Piggy Bank

I just got a special delivery in the mail!

My bloggy business cards arrived from Moo!

I threw together a quick order last week when I realized that I hadn't ordered any cards for my very first bloggy conference--Blissdom.

Moo is a great little printing company that let's you build your cards right on their site ANNND you can print these awesome cute little mini-cards (in full color) cheaper than you can buy stock and print your own at home!

Another cool feature (which I WILL use in the future) that Moo offers -- you can have as many different front sides as you want.

Check it out!



Linked to:



Works for Me Wednesday