------------------ My First Cookie Swap was a Great Success -------------

I received some amazing treats and I sent a cookie i really loved and everyone of my swap-ees agreed they enjoyed them as well.

(From Top left: all cookies; pineapple, pistachio and hazelnut/chocolate. Top Right: Hazelnut/Chocolate. Bottom Left: Pistachio)

Thank you: Pineapple Cookies (Marcy Reynolds: justacrumb.com) Pistachio Shortbread (Melissa Beach: shootsandroots.wordpress.com) Hazelnut/Chocolate Shortbread (Elizabeth Darby)

------------------ Caramel Raisin/Pecan Oatmeal Cookies -------------

Caramel Raisin & Pecan Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup unsalted butter; soft/room-temp. 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ---------------- 2 eggs 1-1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup caramel (See Caramel Apple post) --------------- 2 c AP Flour 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt -------------- 3 cups Oats 1 cup raisins 1 cup pecans, chopped I love these cookies!!!! Preheat oven to 375F 1. Cream butter and both sugars until smooth; beat in eggs, vanilla and caramel. 2. Combine and blend thoroughly flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Beat into creamed mixture. Fold in oats, raisins and nuts. 3. Scoop or drop teaspoon size portions on to silpat, parchment or greased baking sheet. 4. Bake for 8-10 minutes; Makes 6 dozen cookies.

Happy Holiday

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Rhianna - You Da One

This is just a quick post about my favorite foods for Thanksgiving.... I'm thankful for.... Friends and Family. Food has always been apart of the best memories created with friends and family. I am blessed to have the best Chefs in my family, the recipes and creations that have graced my plates in my youth; around the holidays are GENIUS!!! sadly I do not have pictures of ever food but just the names will blow your mind as they did my tastebuds....

So Lets Fix a Plate -N- Eat (in the words of my grandma Bailey) Dinner Tofu Mac 'n Cheese Sweet 'n Sour Green B-Beans Yeast Rolls Roasted Redskin potatoes Smashed Sweet potatoes Cornbread/Sausage Stuffing Oyster Stuffing Smothered Turkey Wings Garlic & Herb Butter Turkey Cranberry Sauce Turkey Gravy Potato Salad....etc ( There are at least 10 more) Drink Sparkling Apple Cider Dessert Sweet Potato Pie Pineapple Upside Down Cake Tipsy Cake Rum-Bread Pudding 7up pound cake Blueberry Cobbler Sweet potato pudding

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Mary J Blige - Share My World

YUMMMM!!! These turned out great!!! Easy recipe...

1# sweet potato (1 large or 2 small potatoes) 2T milk 1-1/2c AP flour 2T sugar 1T baking powder 1/2t salt 1 stick cold butter; cut into small pieces *Bake potato(es) until tender; cool completely, smash and stir in milk until smooth. **Whisk flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Cut in butter until butter is evenly distributed or resembles a course corn meal. ***Add potato mix, combine until dough forms. flattend dough to about an 1 inch and cut into desired shapes on a lightly floured surface. Arrange onto a greased baking sheet, egg wash tops and sides and dust lightly with sugar. Bake in 425 oven for 18-22 minutes.

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Jimmy Hendrix - 51st Anniversary