Gingerbread Fun.....

Kristen, Ashley and I decided to make our Christmas cards today. They are all so cute!!! Mine had many steps so it took me much longer to finish. So, Ashley and Kristen helped me get them done. I still need to address the cards and then of course sign them and get them ready to mail.

As a surprise treat Kristen got us Gingerbread house kits to build. A few weeks ago Kristen and I wanted to sign up for the Gingerbread class at Sur La Table but it was rather pricey so we decided not to do it. Making a house isn't at all hard. You just have to use your imagination. There is no correct way to building one. And it's fun and messy at the same time. Thank you Kristen!!! :)

Look at that mess!! We had icing, gum drops, pretzels, morsels, and other hard candies.

Here is my house!! It turned out pretty cute!

Mine is on the left, Kristen's cute house is in the middle and Ashley's is on the right. :)

Oh Christmas Tree.....

Nate and I put up our Christmas tree today. How cute is it? :) It makes us smile when we look at it. We love it!!!

Baker Bonz

I decided to make a new blog just for my baking projects! YEY!! Please, feel free to follow me!!!

EDIT: This blog has been deleted. I have decided to keep everything on my main blog. :)

Miller X-Mas Tree

I went to Walmart and got our Christmas tree today. I hate shopping at Walmart b/c I'm a Target girl but I had a $50 gift card which helped knock off big bucks. It's 7.5 feet. I can't wait to set it up and decorate it. :)

NEW MOON.......

The Twilight Saga continues with New Moon. Kristen, Melissa, Crystal, Melissa and I were all excited as well with the rest of Fredericksburg. We got our tickets a few weeks back online so we wouldn't have to stand in line. Little did we know that ordering your tickets online is what everyone else had done too. When we got the Regal, the line for the 10pm showing of new moon was wrapped around the building. We finally got in and got our seats. They weren't the best seats but at least we were all together. :)

Jacob

Edward Cullen

Bella and Edward

The movie was awesome!! It followed the book to the T. I can't wait for the next movies.

1001 Cookie mix.....

I was reading thru some Richmond Times Dispatch magazine Discover the Season. I read something about 1001 Cookie mix. Have you ever heard of 1001 cookie mix???? It's a basic cookie recipe which allows you to make lots of different recipes. It's perfect for the holiday season for 'cookie exchanges'. I also checked the 'internets' for some cool recipes. :)

For a full batch: (21 cups)
10 cups of flour
7 1/2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons baking powder
4 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/3 cups shortening, margarine or butter

Half batch: (10 cups)
5 cups flour
4 3/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups PLUS 2 tablespoons shortening, margarine or butter.

Some recipes I found that look great.....

Fudge Balls

2 cups 1001 Cookie Mix
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk Confectioners Sugar, as needed

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In large bowl, mix together all ingredients except confectioners sugar.

Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in confectioners sugar to coat lightly. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for about 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 36 balls.

Fudge balls may be rolled in chopped nuts or granulated sugar, or drizzled or dipped in melted chocolate after cooled.


Lemon Sugar Cookies

4 cups 1001 Cookie Mix
1 egg
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Granulated Sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheets.
In large bowl, mix together all ingredients except sugar. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a roll about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap and chill hour or until dough is easy to handle.
Cut rolls into 1/8-inch slices. Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake for about 8 minutes. Do not brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 48 cookies.


Gingery Snaps

4 cups 1001 Cookie Mix
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
Granulated Sugar, as needed

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheets.
In large bowl, mix together all ingredients except sugar.
Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons into small bowl of sugar. Roll to coat lightly. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 12-15 minutes. Do not brown. Let cool 2 minutes and remove to rack to cool. Makes 48 cookies.

I can't wait to do a cookie exchange at work. Bring on the HOLIDAY'S!! :)

Poor little guy....

I just took the trash out to the cans. And as I was was walking back to the house by the apple tree in the backyard, I saw a little mouse. He looked like he was praying as he laid there 'sleeping'. The poor little guy was dead. :*( I decided to give him a name.......Hamilton. Fits perfectly, I think. I picked him up by his little tale (which felt rubbery) and gave him a trash can burial. Yep, I just opened up the lid and placed him in. Poor little guy.......I wonder what happened to him?

Blueberry Loaf.....

I didn't feel like making blueberry muffins so I made a blueberry loaf instead. It was delish!!

Xmas card idea... :)

Such a hard life....

Harley, watching Kirk working out back on his motorcycle. Such a busy day for Harley.....He sat in his box this morning and watched me put the roast together. And then he watched as I made stripe delight. Next time, maybe he should make everything? :)

Stripe Delight....

If you've never had stripe delight, well then you're missing out.

Bottom layer is crust....
On top of the crust you put the mixture of cool whip, cream cheese, milk and sugar.

On top of the cream cheese mixture you put chocolate pudding.

The top layer is just cool whip.

And chocolate chips are optional. I think the chocolate chips add just a little bit. :)


It kinda fell apart as I was putting it on the plate. I hate getting out the first piece b/c nine times out of ten it falls apart. LOL But who cares that it's not pretty as long as it tastes good. And it did. Kirk and I ate our piece like there was no tomorrow. MMMM!! :)

Dinner....

This morning, when I got home from work I plugged in the crock pot and put in a rump roast, carrots and some baby potatoes. All day, you could smell the roast cooking. This evening, Kirk and I dug in. I also made some biscuits to eat with it. It was very good and I think we both ate way too much. LOL Nate will be happy when he gets home b/c he loves my pot roast. :)

CPL Albrecht Dinner.....

Tonight, we had a special dinner for my bruder, Kirk. We had a private room at Maggiano's Little Italy in Richmond. Lots of friends and family showed up and I think Kirk was overwhelmed. Everyone was very glad to see him.

Kirk reading a card from someone.


On the tables we put some decorations. United States flag, Marine Corps flag, and some photos of Kirk.

Sister, Sister!
Aunt Karen and Cousin Ben. :)

Dad and Kirk!

Susie's little 'lovenox baby', Taylor. She was way tooooooooo cute!

Kristen made some favors. Little chocolates which she used a Marine Corps chocolate mold. I had red, white and blue baggies. We wrapped the chocolates in Semper Fi tissue paper and each baggy got a Marine Corps Seal. Simple and cute!! We also had a big Amercian Flag card for Kirk, that each guest penned a specail message to OUR HERO!!!

Praying Mantis...

As I was taking out the trash this afternoon, I found my little praying mantis friend on the gate. This time Harley couldn't scare him away so I ran in the house and got my camera and got a really good shot of him. Click on the picture to see the close up of his eyes. :)

Kitten....

A little kitten that found her way into my parents hearts.....


She's very cute and very friendly! My dad told my mom to get her fixed. :) They are calling her "Socks". :)

Highly Recommended Movie.....

Nate and I watched Slumdog Millionaire. The movie was terrific!! If you haven't seen it then you must.



I want the sound track!! I love the song Jai Ho, which is a Hindi song and in English it means: May you be victorious! :)

A Great Blue Heron...

In my neighborhood this afternoon I saw a great blue heron. So pretty! :)

Smile....

On Charles Street in downtown FXBG there is an odd art display. At first, it was just some big yellow leaves. But as of last week the 'artist' added smiley faces.

UPDATE: A friend informed me that is a community garden. Downtown Greens!

Halloween @ the Anderl's

Kristen hosted Halloween at her house this year. We ate Little Caesar's pizza, queso and chips, cupcakes, brownies, popcorn balls, pumpkin seeds and of course Halloween candy. We basically just hung out and passed out candy to the neighborhood kids.



Kristen was 'Abby' from NCIS. Dave was 'Dale Earnhardt Jr' or as the rednecks say 'Little E', Ashley was the female version of 'Freddy Kreuger' and Nate was 'Awkard Social Moment guy'. Eddie, Crystal and me all were ourselves. We didn't dress up. LOL We also played some Beatles Rock Band. :)


Favor bags filled with Halloween Candy that Kristen made for everyone! :)

Cute Zoey in the window! :)

Frog Level

Saturday, morning Nate and I drove to Frog Level to meet Kristen. We were going to the their Annual Fall Festival to buy some of their famous Brunswick stew. It's so good!!

We were introduced to this small town a few years ago when they asked me to be their Grand Marshal in their parade. Here are some pictures from a few years ago when I was the Grand Marshal.



Anyways, we go back every year for Brunswick stew. It was raining pretty good so we basically got our stew and left. And the stew is all gone. :) MMMMMMMMMMM!! Oh in February, they have a Drive thru Brunswick stew sale. We'll probably go pick some more up!! :)