Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thankful Thursday
2. I am thankful for my kids, they make my life more interesting!
3. I am thankful for the library and all the free stuff there!
4. I am thankful for my dh's new, better job and that he still has weekends off!
5. I am thankful that I have a car during the day, I've lived without one and it is no fun!
6. I am thankful for a clean living room, now how long will it stay that way?
7. I am thankful for my blogging friends who visit my blog!
8. I am thankful for my my best friend, my dh!
9. I am thankful for getting a new flat screen monitor for my computer for FREE!
10. I am thankful that I got to go eat a good dinner at a steakhouse this week!
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What are you thankful for today?
Free Chocolate!
Family Update and a Funny Potty Training Story!
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Neil is almost 7 months old. He is getting so many teeth! We call him JAWS! Whenever you pick him up he tries to bite you because his upper four teeth are coming in and they are so swollen. He chews on everything, but seems to like this when it is cold, the keys have some kind of liquid in them? All I know is he loves them! We need to go buy some new clothes, he is ready for 6-9 months clothes! He is 18 pounds now.
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Nathan and Katie Sue, which is what they get called most, are growing too! We have been working on potty training, but it is really not going very far! Nicholas is so into helping them. He wants them to go so bad! Yesterday he came home and that was the first thing he did take them to the potty, not much longer, he yelled at me that Katie Sue pottied. I went in there to look and Nicholas had put water in there to make me think that she had peed. I told him I knew it was water. I cleaned it out and Katie Sue sat back on the potty. About 5 minutes later Nicholas yelled at me again that Katie Sue had peed in the potty. I went back in there and it did look like pee pee. I asked Katie Sue if she went pee pee in the potty and she said, "No, Nicholas, pee peed." Can you believe that he peed in there potty because he wanted them to pee so bad, I was upset that he lied to me, but it was a little funny! LOL! Back to Nathan and Katie Sue, they are enjoying staying home with mommy. We read books that are a different theme every week, this week is Teddy Bears. They are also counting to 5 now. Read more about what we do everyday here.
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Nicholas started the 2nd grade this month. He seems to really be enjoying it. He is joining Cub Scouts and really excited about that! Can you believe that a uniform and registration fee is over $100? I do not know how we are going to get it all for him, but he is so excited and I know that it is important for him. The problems he is having in school is talking. The child loves to talk! He interrupts his teacher a lot, but he has a really good teacher that can deal with him better this year and he is doing so much better behavior wise! He is also reading so much better now.
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David finished his summer GPS work that he was doing, but the company is going to hire him to compile all the work from the 4 counties. So, that is a great big help that he does not have to go looking for another job while he is in school this semester. He has one more semester after this!
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So that is a little family update for you! Hope all is going well with your families!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Works For ME Wednesday-Saving Money on Groceries
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Here is this week's menu for my family:
Breakfast
1. Cereal, milk, yogurt, juice
2 Cereal, milk, yogurt, juice
3. Mini Teddy Bear Pancakes- Make your favorite pancake batter. Pour a small amount of batter to form a 2" pancake in the pan. Add two small drops of mixture to form ears. Remove cooked pancake to a plate and add features using chocolate chips, banana slices, raisins, etc!
4. Pancakes, sausage links, bananas, juice
5. Cereal, milk, yogurt, juice
6. Scrambled Eggs, sausage links, biscuits, juice
7. Scrambled Eggs, sausage links, biscuits, juice
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Lunch
1. Burritos,apples, milk
2. Ham Sandwich, apples, milk
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, apples, milk
4. Pizza, milk
5. Chicken nuggets, fries, milk
6. Tuna Sandwiches, apples, milk
7. Hot Dogs(smoked sausages), apples, milk
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Dinner
1. Spaghetti Pie, garlic toast
2. Turkey Roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans
3. Popcorn Chicken, French Fries
4. Chicken Fried Rice- recipe
5. Ham and Cheese Delight (New recipe I am trying from Angel Food, see recipe below)
6. Swiss Chicken Bake(recipe), mashed potatoes, green beans
7. Pizzas.
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Snacks and Dessert:
1.Teddy Grahams
2.Bear Biscuits-
refrigerated biscuits
raisins or chocolate chips
maraschino cherries
honey
cinnamon sugar (optional)
Separate biscuits. Each child needs 2 biscuits. For each bear place one whole biscuit on baking sheet. Cut the other biscuit in half. Now cut one of the halves into 2 pieces and make round balls with the dough and firmly press to top of head to make ears. With the other half, form round or oval shape for the nose. Press in raisins or chips for eyes and nose. Add 1/4 maraschino cherry to each ear. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on to give him the brown look and a cinnamon roll taste. Bake on a cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees until golden brown. Enjoy with honey - a bears favorite treat!!!
3. Gummy Bears
4. Honey Comb Cereal
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Ham and Cheese Delight- (Cindy Houk)
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1 canned ham, sliced and cubed
4 medium red potatoes, cooked, peeled, and cubed
1 container sour cream, (16 ounces)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 box Velveeta cheese (6 ounces), sliced and cubed
1 package (10 ounces) corn muffin mix
1 package (16 ounces) frozen carrots, thawed, quartered
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 13 X 9 baking dish. Mix corn muffin mix as directed and spread evenly on bottom of pan for crust. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, blend sour cream and cream cheese. Add sliced and cubed ham, potatoes, and quartered carrots. Spread over muffin mix. Top with Velveeta cheese placed evenly and in rows. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is done and cheese melts
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For more great WFMW post see Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer.
Potty Training Again
There is a picture of it on the right. I like it, it is cute, but whenever they put there hand down there to wipe or whatever, it says they went to the potty. Neither have gone yet. I am going to work really hard with them, but I know everyone says they are ready when they are ready, but I got three in diapers and I really would love to only have 1! So, I am working with them. They both tell me when they need there diapers changed so I know they know when they are pottying in there diapers. I hate potty training! Can I say that? And just think, I will still have one more to train after these two, ohhhh! Guess I need to stop thinking about that and just do the best I can with these two.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I brushed death
Update
Monday, August 27, 2007
Yucky!!!
Menu Plan Monday
Friday, August 24, 2007
Book Review- A Sister's Secret
And the winner is...
Enter an upper limit: 22
Random Number:1
The random number picker picked number 1, that is strange, I haven't seen it pick number 1 very often. Number 1 is KARA! Congratulations!
End of Summer Party 2007 and a Giveaway!
Trista at The Pumkin Patch is having an End of Summer Party August 20-24th. She is asking everyone to write about their summer and some are even giving away prizes at this party. So for this party I have made a list of 10 things that we enjoyed and had fun doing this summer. Oh and when you get to the end of this post I'll tell you about my end of summer contest. ~
4. I got to read a lot of really good books and discovered some new authors! I also read ALOT to my kids this summer.
6. Mommy, Daddy, and Nicholas got addicted to a card game called Hit the Deck! We played it every night for a while.
7. We got to enjoy having a new baby in the house!
8. We got to go swimming in our swimming pool.
9. We had family baking nights and made lots of different cookies.
Financially this summer was not too good for us. I thought what did we get to do for fun? We did not go anywhere. We did mostly free, fun stuff, but as I thought about it for a while, I came up with several things that we had lots of fun doing. This was lots of fun! I think I am going to make it a yearly thing!
To win you MUST leave a comment answering this question: What is your family's favorite game to play together? You must answer the question to be entered. I will use a random number picker and announce the winner on Friday August 24th.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tasty Thursday-Casseroles Edition
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1 lb. sausage (cooked and drained)
2 cans of crescent rolls
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup grated cheese (I usually use Mexican blend)
garlic salt
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Open a can of crescent rolls and lay flat in a 9x13 baking dished (lightly sprayed with cooking spray). Put dish in oven for about 15 minutes, cooking just until rolls begin to look golden. Meanwhile, mix sausage, cream cheese, sour cream and grated cheese together. Add garlic salt for flavor, as much or as little as you like. When crescent rolls finish cooking, remove from oven and spread sausage mixture over them. Top with another can of crescent rolls. Cook until rolls are done (about 20 minutes or until golden brown.)
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Trista over at The Pumkin Patch is the host of Tasty Thursday, head on over to her blog to see more tasty recipes.
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Also see all my summer fun and a GIVEAWAY in this post!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Playskool Contest
As amother with a baby who just started eating soilds a couple of weeks ago, this easy grip bowl is something that I really like. PLAYSKOOL markets there new line of baby items through CVS Pharmacies. They also have a line of diapers and wipes that are very nice. There is a contest going on over at Fina Dree's blog for $75 worth of these products. With three in diapers, this would be so nice for me! So go visit today and get in on this wonderful contest!
Image Meme
This is Rainbow Lorie. I thought she was very colorful and cute.
I also found this Lorie flower that I thought was interesting and strange or maybe odd?
Now I will tag 5 other people:
Time Travel Tuesday: 21!
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Wow! 21? I just for some reason can't remember 21. I know that I was in college. I had just moved to the University of Kentucky, I had gone to a community college before that. I lived in a college owned apartment complex with three other roommates. I guess I spent most of my time with my roommates, but I also spent a lot of time alone too. I was a loner a lot. My favorite thing to do? Probably study. That is about all I remember doing. I do not remember reading much then? Favorite thing to eat? I ate Ramen noodles and hamburger helper because I was a poor college student so getting to go out to eat was probably my favorite, but I do remember that we got this new pizza place called Snappy Tomato Pizza that we loved and would get delivered every now and then. Favorite hobby? Just can't remember anything. Don't know that I had any of any importance. I just can't believe how old this post makes me feel. When I was in my teens I always wanted to be 30. Why? I just don't know. Now that I am in my later 30's, which by the way I do not feel that old lol I just baby! But now I wish I was 20 again sometimes, but I really like how old now even if I am getting old lol!
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I also have an end of summer giveaway going on!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Emergency Cheesecake
Menu Plan Monday-August 20-26
Breakfast:
1.Cereal, yogurt, juice
2.Cereal, yogurt, juice
3.Pancakes, sausage links, juice
4.Scrambled eggs, yogurt, juice
5.Cereal, yogurt, juice
6.Sausage Breakfast Casserole, juice
7. Cereal, yogurt, juice
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Lunches:
1.Corn Dog Muffins, apples, milk
2.Tuna Sandwiches, apples, milk
3.Pigs in the blanket, peaches, milk
4.Grilled Cheese, apples, milk
5.Ravioli, apples, milk
6.Homemade Pizza, apples, milk
7.Freezer Pizza, apples, milk
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Dinners:
1. Swiss Chicken Bake, Mashed Potatoes. Fresh Corn on the Cob, green beans
2. Spaghetti, garlic toast , I usually buy the store brand)
3.Chicken Fried Rice
4. Lasagna, garlic toast, peaches
5. Leftovers
6. Fish Fry at Church I'm bringing: Root Beer Float Cake
7. Fried Chicken, Soup Beans, mashed potatoes, corn
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Desserts/Snacks:
1. Chex Party Mix
2. Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Emergency Cheesecake
For more menu ideas go to Organizing junkie.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Christmas and Birthday Ideas
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Nicholas:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5996511
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5007588
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=894800
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5774421
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5359009
Nathan:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5994911
Katelyn:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5854274
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5994908
Cash REgister
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5151216
Neil:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4956533
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6339982
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5774900
Mommy:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4994688
Friday, August 17, 2007
Book Review- When the Heart Cries
Favorite Ingredients Friday-BLT Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1/2 cup chopped, seeded plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and sugar. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and sugar.
In a third bowl, beat the milk and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the bacon, tomatoes and parsley.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.
Freezer Food Friday-Viva La Chicken
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3 c. cooked chicken
1 can cream chicken soup
1 can cream mushroom soup
1 c milk
1 sm. can diced green chilies
1 onion chopped
1 dz. corn tortilla
4 c. cheddar cheese grated
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Combine soups, milk and onions. Grease large shallow baking dish , add 2T water. Layer tortilla, chicken, then soup mix; top with cheese, refrigerate for 24 hours.
To Freeze: Cover with foil and seal well. Label and Freeze
To Serve: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake at 300 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until piping hot
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For more Friday Freezer Recipes go to A Mums Food Blog.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tasty Thursday-Heath Bar Coffeee Cake
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1/4 lb margarine, softened
2 c flour
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
6 Heath Bar, crumbled
1/4 c pecans, chopped
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Mix margarine, flour, brown sugar, and white sugar until crumbly. Take out 1/2 cup of mixture. Add Heath bars and pecans. Set aside. To the remaining mixture, add buttermilk, soda, egg, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour into greased and floured 9 X 13 inch pan. Add set aside mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serves 12-16.
Trista over at The Pumkin Patch is the host of Tasty Thursday, head on over to her blog to see more tasty recipes.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Big Shopping
1. A Crib- Our baby is 6 months old. He slept in a bassinet for 4 months and since then he has been in a Pack and Play(it is just like that except it is Mickey Mouse and I got it on clearance for 30 bucks!). So now we have to buy a crib and if you ask me don't you have the twins cribs, no because they converted into toddler beds. So here are some we are looking at. What Do you think?
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Simplicity-This is one I really like because it is a crib, changing table, and has a shelf and drawers. I like this because right now the crib is in our room. It also fits in the budget and it converts into a day bed and full size headboard. This one can be found in stores, but it is not in stock online. :(
Storkcraft Kristina Crib, in Cognac-This one matches better with our bedroom furniture and again it is in the budget. I like the different look that it has.
Storkcraft Sandra Crib-I like this design too, it is in our budget, it is also cherry and matches our bed actually a little better than the other storkcraft.
Simplicity 4 in one Aspen Crib-I like the price and the drawer for extra storage. It is in the price range but out of stock online. :( It also converts into a toddler bed!
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2. Highchair-The twins high chairs are ready for the garbage, no joke! They only lasted for one kid, but they were like $28 each, they were the cheaper ones. I hate them! Here are some I like!
Sesame Beginnings Deluxe Reclining High Chair-I like the way this one looks, it has some neat features.
Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair & Booster-I like how this can be used as a booster later and saves space.
Evenflo Safari High Chair- I also like this one.
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3. Stroller-I need a one seat stroller, the double stroller is so hard to move around.
Jeep ® Liberty Urban Terrain 3-Wheel Stroller- I love this one. It is a three wheel.
Jeep Liberty SE Terrain Stroller- I also like this one although it is more expensive.
Fun With The Kids
Nice Matters Award
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Renee from Renee's Ramblings has given this award to all of her readers. Here is who I want to pass this award onto:
1. Kate- I met Kate on a board that I visit and she is one of the most positive people I know! She is always there to give an encouraging word and truly someone I would love to meet in person.
2. Kara- I also met Kara on an online board. She seems to be a super nice person too. She is always willing to answer my questions about blogger, I have a lot! Thanks for being there Kara. She is also someone who you can depend on to come and leave a comment on your blog.
3. Overwhelmed-She is the creator of the Pay it Forward Book Exchange. To me, that program
demonstrates that she tries to live her life to be nice and helpful to others. There are LOTS of these exchanges going on now. She also host a recipe exchange on Fridays that I get so many great and inspiring ideas from called Favorite Ingredients Friday.
4. Beth- I also met Beth on a board I visit. She is a very sweet person! I love her book recommendtions on her blog and reading about her two year ol since I have two of those myself. ~
and last but certainly not least (there are too many nice people in blogville!)
5. Dawn- I also met Dawn on a board. I have enjoyed chatting with her, she always has great suggestions and we also both have a 7 year old. I love to read her funny stories about her kids on her blog! I just can't get the pepper one out of my head Dawn! lol!
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Now each of you go nominate some people you feel that nice matters!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Doesent' She Look Natural? Giveaway!
Time Travel Tuesday-First Day of School
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Book Review-Bygones
Menu Plan Monday- Week of Aug 13
- Cereal, yogurt, juice
- Cereal, yogurt, juice
- Pancakes, sausage, links,bananas, juice
- Scrambled eggs, sausage links, biscuits, juice
- Scrambled eggs, sausage links, biscuits, juice
- Cereal, yogurt, juice
- French toast sticks, sausage links, juice
Lunches(Not in any particular order)
- Soup and sandwiches, milk
- Bologna sandwiches, fruit, milk
- Tuna sandwiches, fruit, milk
- BLT sandwiches, milk
- Hot Dogs, fruit, milk
- Pigs in Blanket, fruit, milk
- Ravioli, fruit, milk
- Homemade Pizza, salad
- Swiss Chicken Bake(did not get to last week), mashed potatoes, green beans
- Beef Stuffed Peppers, corn on the cob, green beans
- Spaghetti Pie, garlic toast, salad
- Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, green beans
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Sweet and Sour Chicken, Oriental rice
Baking: Lemon Crisp Cookies, Chex Mix, Special Butterscotch Brownies
For more menu ideas go to Organizing junkie.
Friday, August 10, 2007
School Started Back Yesterday!
Eggplant Tomato Bake
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Eggplant Tomato Bake (from MJ)
Published: Wed, May 30
Recipe is by Julie Kay
Serves 4-6.
1 eggplant, peeled and sliced
3 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings
1 onion, sliced into rings
1 1/2 cups Ragu Robusto! Parmesan & Romano pasta sauce
1 cup crushed cracker crumbs (Ritz works well)
1. Put eggplant slices into slow cooker. Layer tomato slices over eggplant. Add bell pepper and onion. Pour pasta sauce over all. Cook on Low for 4 hours.
2. Sprinkle with crushed cracker crumbs when ready to serve.
Freezer Food Friday-Crispy Chicken Bites & Family Fridays
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Chicken breasts (boneless/skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
Crisped rice cereal (about 6 - 8 cups)
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
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Crush the cereal in a ziploc bag. Kids can do this. Pour crushed cereal into a large bowl, and add spices of your choice. In separate bowl or pie tin, combine eggs with water and beat well. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then dredge in cereal mixture. Arrange on greased cookie sheet. Bake 350° for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve these with different sauces to dip.
To freeze: Allow to cool, and freeze on flat surface. After frozen, place in freezer bags and store. To serve, simply reheat and eat!
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For more Friday Freezer Recipes go to A Mums Food Blog.
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Favorite Ingredients Friday-Salads Edition
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Thursday, August 9, 2007
Summer Reading Review-Where Willows Grow
Tasty Thursday-Santa's Helpers Cookies
Santa's Helpers Cookies
1 (9 oz) yellow cake mix
1 large egg
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup chopped pecans
10 orange slice candies, sliced
Combine all ingredients until blended. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F or until edges begin to brown. Place on wire racks to cool.
Yield: 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Trista over at The Pumkin Patch is the host of Tasty Thursday, head on over to her blog to see more tasty recipes.