musings, mutterings, and creative muddle. . .





Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Simply-put Sugar Cookies - Sweet!!!

This one's for Aunt Nancy;-)

And I have to thank Dear Daughter for finding this recipe that's now a staple in my recipe binder.

Extra hint: This dough can handle up to 2 tsp of ANY EXTRACT. Yes. TWO teaspoons of ANY flavor you like! And I like to additionally roll the unbaked cookie balls in flavored sugar - vanilla sugar, lavender sugar, rose sugar, nutmeg. . . . For eggnog cookies, use rum instead of vanilla and roll in a vanilla-sugar-nutmeg mixture. You can buy powdered and granulated sugar at many grocery stores. I use rose flower water instead of vanilla and roll in crushed organic rose petals and sugar for a fun springtime cookie that pairs well with iced tea. And on and on. . .

Use your imagination! Experiment! Comment with your Tasty Combinations below!!!

These are simple sugar cookies that don't come from a can (which is okay, sometimes. . .), don't require rolling out (which can be fun on occasion), and won't come out too thin and shouldn't come out too dry. . . usually.  These are just, simply put, the perfect sugar cookie. <3 nbsp="" p="">

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Comforting Chicken Casserole

Tis the season for comfort food. Heck! Every season is the season for comfort food. Sometimes, we just need a little comforting and only a good, hot, casserole will do.  Yes, that's right, I said casserole. And here's one you're really going to love - I promise!


Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Story of the Kimchi Kings

You're wondering, aren't you, what exactly you are seeing here? You notice the chopsticks, right away. . . but beyond that, and the little glasses, what is going on?


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Nature of Technology

So happy that I finally have winter-hardy pansies. I always thought they were a myth. . . out of all the pansies I have bought and planted in the fall (versus the spring) with the promise that they'll last through the winter. 

Friday, January 13, 2012

Did You Say Chicken Fricassee?

Yes. Yes I did. I did say Chicken Fricassee! And let me also say - Chicken Fricassee is DELICIOUS! 


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Friendly Smothered Steak

Spent a long winter weekend recently out in Northwest Kansas with a dear-dear friend.  While the fellas hunted (I'm a fair weather hunter. . . if there's risk of shivering, I stay indoors.) Lizzy and I took charge of meals. 

Here's a great cold day meal for a crowd (and if there's something this guest cook knows how to do - that's to cook for a crowd.  She has five awesome - now grown- children) that takes no time at all to prepare AND the heat of the oven helps keep you warm:-)