Winter Projects - Shutters and Windows, Oh My!

The above photo was "pinned" on pinterest, a creative idea internet site that I enjoy.  I've been looking for an idea to use a few old cowboy-looking shutters i saved from being thrown out in the parsonage remodel two years ago.

I knew they would come in handy someday, and I think I found just the project!  Cowboy shutters below that have been hanging out in the basement since the remodel. 

This window I've been using as decoration was a curb pick up from our neighborhood while we were living in Grand Rapids...



So, do I paint the shutters?  Leave them wood tones?

I'm leaning toward leaving them wood tones, and adding color with a few accessories.  I don't know how much time I have to paint this winter...

A New Niece

Another girl in the family!  I am very happy that my niece Amelia has a new little sister, and not another brother.  Allison joins her four older siblings, who I photographed last summer.

I failed at getting a picture of her on the front of a pickup, which has this sign on it.  Maybe when she is a little bigger.  It really isn't the best time of year to be outside with a little one anyways, I guess.

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Pin It

I have a cookie recipe that I use several times a year. This recipe is originally from the  Oskaloosa Christian School cookbook, from J. DeBruin, and I've adjusted the recipe a bit by adding cloves to make it more of a spice cookie. 

Begin by brewing a pot of coffee to enjoy with the finished product.  The spice and molasses is unbelievably good with a strong cup of coffee.

Then, Cream 1 1/4 Cup Shortening (Crisco) and 2 Cups white sugar until fluffy.  Add 2 eggs and continue to cream.

Add 1/2 Cup Molasses.  We also have a sorgham mill a few miles outside of our small town.  Sorgham would be a slightly sweeter taste, with abit less of the Molasses-y bite.

You are done with the "wet" ingredients, now mix the "drys." 

To mix the "drys", add 4 Cups of white flour, 5 tsp soda, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp cloves, and a dash of salt.

Slowly add your "dry" ingredients to your "wet" ingredients.  Slowly, because you may end up with a floury mess if you add it all at once to the mixer.

Optional:  Fold in Black Walnuts to the dough.We received our black walnuts from an elderly neighbor.  Black walnuts are woods-y tasting, almost a buttery flavor when paired with a spice of some kind.  Can be a stronger taste.

Dip into balls onto culinary parchment, or on a greased baking pan.

Or, flatten with your hands onto parchment paper and cut out heart shapes or shape of your choice. I used some heart shapes.  The parchment paper is so so so much easier than flour on the counter.  A metal spatula can easily transfer them to your baking pan.

 

  

Bake at 350 for BARELY 10 minutes.  As soon as the begin to crack, take them out!  It is tempting to want to leave them in until they get a nice beautiful bakery looking crackle, but then they will not be chewy.  This is a touch to long.....

These, below are just right, barely a crackle.  THAT is the secret to chewy cookies.

Pick up the dishes!

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies
Cream:
1 1/4 Cup shortening
2 Cups white sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1/2 Cup Molasses

Stir together and add to creamed mixture:
4 Cups Flour
5 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp nutmed
1 1/2 tsp cloves
dash of salt.

Dip into balls, flatten slightly with palm, bake at 350 for 10 min.

A Merry Christmas with family

Pin It
Our family has been battling a lot of sickness, starting Christmas Eve.  Nothing has been serious enough to require any doctor's visits, which I am grateful for.  Hopefully the colder weather will rid the air of the bugs going around.  A lot of families have been sick!

Thankfully we were healthy for all of our Christmas activities, which occurred the week before and the week after Christmas. Brian and I especially enjoyed having all three kids be able to play off with cousins while we enjoyed our meals and conversation with family.  The past three years we've had infants who have required a lot of attention and corralling.

Here are a few pictures of Christmas on Becky's side, which we celebrated the week before Christmas.

And here are a few pictures of Christmas with Brian's family, which we celebrated the week after Christmas:

Brian and I are very blessed to have both sides of our families to celebrate not just family, but the birth of Christ.

Olive Garden and Soup Recipe

It is no secret that I love Olive Garden, and that Brian and I miss being in close proximity to this restaurant.  Currently, its a good 50 minutes away.  Earlier this winter I went searching for a particular recipe that Brian and I enjoy.  And wouldn't you know, our boys loved it too.  Although it can entirely depend on the day, they usually eat what i make them, especially if they get to help.   I added a touch extra pasta, and it was perfect for their tastes as well.  Pictures below of the progress: 

We have the opportunity here to purchase locally grown beef, and when processed at the local meat locker, they stamp the name on the package in order to identify it.  When ordering the butchering last year I failed to mention my husband's name, so when I picked up our order I was shocked.  I don't know why, but it just looked funny, like a brand on a cow.  My first and last name - on well over a hundred individually packaged beef items, in my deep freeze.  This year I did it on purpose. 

I think next time I could tease Brian and have them put, "Reverend Ochsner."  Except I'd have to read it every time I looked in the deep freeze, so may be not.

Copycat recipe below:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion , chopped
• 3 carrots , chopped
• 4 stalks celery , chopped
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes , undrained
• 1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans , drained
• 1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans , drained
• 3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
• 3 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 5 teaspoons parsley
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
• 1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 8 ounces pasta

Directions:

1. Brown beef in a skillet.
2. Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.
3. Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.
4. During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.