TheKitchenCookie

   'My' Bluebirds are back!! I was so excited!!! Thanks to this Suet Recipe they stay around here all winter. I can never get enough of them, they are beautiful!!     This guy was bossy. Whenever he showed up everyone else would leave.   I've got my eye on you...     And when he came around the Bluebirds all left.   Family dining.     Hey there...     The sunset a few days ago...     Into the Blue...   We are enjoying our Thanksgiving Vacation of mostly doing nothing. It feels good to slow down and hang out with the kids. "Doctor Quinn" is helping out with this :) I hope you are enjoying your vacation as well!   Be sure to stop in (previous post) for the Giveaway if you haven't already.   Enjoy your weekend!   ♥♥♥ 

    Because I'm thankful for all of you and I love your 'visits' and because it's my Birthday month (44 if you're wondering) and because giving things makes me smile I'd love to share some favorite things with someone. ☺ (dark chocolate truffles and one of my current favorite books a mug and a French Press)   So leave a comment to let me know you were here and share if you'd like. And I'll enter your name for the giveaway! Giveaway open till December 2.   And be sure to check out the lattes if straight coffee is not something you enjoy.   The French Press can also be used with tea bags. I love mine!     White Mocha Mint       White Chocolate Caramel Macchiato       Chocolate Mocha Latte with Peppermint Cream     White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Latte    Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful, blessing filled Thanksgiving!   ♥♥♥

  I was recently looking through a book written by Martha Stewart about her catering business long ago and noticed that she used hollowed out cabbage heads for her dip bowls.   Kinda cool.   So because us room Moms are preparing lunch for Serena's classroom today I thought I'd give it a try.     This wasn't exactly on the menu we had planned but I stopped at the grocery store this morning and the frilly Green Leaf Lettuce spoke to me... then I noticed the Savoy Cabbage...   I mean, who could resist eating their veggies when they look so fresh and pretty?!   Rule #1. Always eat your veggies!   ♥Have a wonderful day!!♥

    This is definitely my new favorite bar recipe. And the festive colors are just in time for the Christmas season. :) They are chewy and nutty... and delicious with a hot drink!   Give them a try!  Oatmeal Mixture:  1-2/3 cups brown sugar 1 cup butter 2 eggs + 1 yolk 2 teaspoons clear vanilla 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 cups quick oats 5 ounces chopped Macadamia Nuts  2½ cups flour (Gold Medal) Fudge Mixture: 16 ounces Yogurt Coating Wafers 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons butter ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons clear vanilla  ½ cup Craisins 1/3 cup Pistachios  Press approximately ¾ of the oatmeal mixture into a 10 X15 inch bar pan sprayed with non stick spray.   Place the first five fudge mixture ingredients into a microwaveable bowl (or double boiler) and melt/stir till smooth. Add the dried cranberries and pistachios and spread evenly on top of the oatmeal mixture. Press the remaining oatmeal mixture into flat pieces

    The Maple leaves have finally fallen. Most of the time I get the boys to pick them up with the mower without even blowing or raking them but tonight there was quite a pile and I knew Serena wanted to play in them so I made an enormous pile and told her to enjoy. She did! :)                                                                                     I was in the kitchen a few days ago doing some baking when I had a sudden inspiration. Instead of making regular Fudge Bars why not make some White Fudge Bars?! After thinking about some of the details I baked them for some friends that came over last night, and I shared some with my neighbor and the school teachers this morning. I was told they pass the test! :)  I'll share them with you after I bake them one more time. :) They look festive and I think they're scrumptious, but then, I may be biased! haha   ♥

  Because some mornings just simply need something more than granola or a smoothie.   Here is an alternative that will give you the comfort (or the kick in the pants) you need to get going on a Monday morning. :)   12 oz. farm fresh whole milk 2 oz. white chocolate chips 1 Sm. York mint patty 1 tube Nescafe Memento (Mocha flavored) Heavy Cream Vanilla extract   Heat the milk, chips, and the mint patty over medium heat until the chocolate is melted and the milk is piping hot. Don't boil! Pour into a favorite cup and top with Vanilla whip and enjoy!                                                                             This is a recipe I'm working at perfecting. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast with a Citrus, Honey and Ginger Glaze. It's yummy! :)                                                                                           Serena and I recently went on a tramp through the countryside while our men were off