Friday, November 30, 2012

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Chai Shortbread


These are one of my most favorite cookies to make. We usually only make them at Christmastime or for a special occasion because otherwise I would eat WAY too many of them. They are a healthier cookie so I guess having a few extra is not all that bad. 

They are very easy to make and we also had all the ingredients in the cupboard already so I did not have to go out and get anything special to make them with. They are excellent warm from the oven and just as tasty the next day.

I initially got the recipe from a Cooking Light magazine that I had picked up in the checkout line one day. They looked easy to make and I thought that they would be a nice change from the regular shortbread that we usually make.

We used our KitchenAid mixer to do the heavy work for us. We started by creaming the butter & sugar together and then added the dry ingredients and then the water.

The recipe I used for Chai Shortbread is here on the Cooking Light website http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chai-shortbread-10000001687677/  

Or you can click the link to follow it here Chai Shortbread

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Grocery Shopping - Make a List

Want a very easy way to save time and money in the grocery store? Make a list!

You can waste a lot of time wandering around the store trying to remember what you needed and then trying to find it in the store.

Years ago, when I was grocery shopping with a baby in tow, I made up a grocery list to make shopping easier for myself.

I put all the items in categories, grouping similarly stored items together. Fruits, vegetables, frozen goods, canned goods, dairy, household items, etc each have their own category. I left a couple lines at the bottom of each category to add things that were not on the list.

I print out a stack of blank lists and keep them in the drawer. Evey week, I take a new one out and keep track of the things that we need on the next grocery shopping trip.

When I hit the grocery store, I start at one side and work my way to the other, while getting the items on the list. It eliminates wandering through the aisles trying to find what I need from a scattered list and keeps me from getting distracted and spending money on things we do not need.

I can complete my grocery shopping in about 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes or longer. Here is a copy of my Grocery List to print out and take with you on your next trip.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Project of the Month - November 2012






Another month - another project.

Several of our friends are expecting babies in late summer and fall this year. I love to make something special, and unique as a gift for a new baby. A keepsake that they will have while they are small and that they can hold on to as they grow up.

I decided to make sets with blankets, bibs and burp clothes, all backed with super soft minky, as gifts for all these new babies.

This is the before shot, a big pile of fabric



And this is the after - all ready for gifting!

Warm, snuggly blankets.


Completed sets with a blanket, 2 burp cloths, bib & a rattle football!