A Little Cookie History

It's that time of year when most of us venture into the kitchen to bake.  I have family and friends that make cookies that are so elaborate and perfect, they very well could have come from a local bakery.

Then there are the people like me - the ones that usually stick to the same old, tried and true recipes that I've been baking up for the holiday for years - the ones we pretty much KNOW will be edible.

So, just how long have people been baking cookies?

The earliest references to cookie style flat cakes dates back to 7th century Persia, where sugar is believed to have first been cultivated. Both large and small pastries are well documented in the Persian Empire. When the Muslims invaded Spain, sugar came along for the ride and then found it's way to Northern Europe as a result of the Crusades.

By the late 14th century, small filled wafers could be purchased on the streets of Paris.

As people traveled more and more, biscuits became a popular staple. Hardtack was found onboard every ocean going vessel for both it's ease of storage and because it stayed edible (barely...ick) for years.

During the early 17th century, the English, Scotch and Dutch immigrants brought the first cookies to the United States in the form of the simple butter cookie, or commonly known as the English teacake or Scottish Shortbread. Most early American cookbooks didn't call them cookies, but instead listed them at the end of the cake chapters (since they were really nothing more than small, flat cakes) and were given whimsical names like Cry Babies or Jumbles.

 During the 1800's (when my current WIP, Surrender to the Sheriff, is set) sugar was available in the local general stores, along with molasses and other spices to make even the most basic cookies.

Over the years as our fascination with the "cookie" has escalated, we now have cookbooks devoted to them! From simple to gourmet to even cookies for our pets, I think it's pretty safe to say that our society is enamored with this small baked treat.

Over the next few weeks I'll be baking up my time-tested cookies, but I also like to try out a new recipe or two. Here's one that I confess I haven't made but am thinking seriously about (the tequila in the recipe is kinda scary...)

Mexican Wedding Cake

1 Cup vegetable shortening

6 Tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon tequila

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Cup pecans, chopped

Powdered sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl, cream the shortening and the powdered sugar. Add in tequila. Gradually blend in the flour. Fold in the pecans. Pinch off walnut sized pieces and roll into balls. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Roll in powdered sugar and place on wire rack to cool.

Enjoy.

Are you trying a new recipe this year for the holiday?

On the holiday wish list

What I'm Reading: Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

What I'm listening to: Holiday music on Pandora

I'm starting to lose count of all my family and friends boasting posting they're done with their holiday shopping. Seriously, some of these crazy people were done weeks ago! (I may have to block them from my Facebook  news feed, it's really starting to annoy me.)

I wish I could be one of those "early-bird" shoppers, but I have several picky hard-to-buy-for people on my list. And the kid's lists are even more challenging, scoring the right color and size for the teenagers is always a fun afternoon. Haha.

The malls are hot. The crowds overwhelming. Sometimes I convince myself a giftcard is the best option, and then I feel like a scrooge for not getting a more personal gift. I do love to shop online - shopping in my PJs is SO much more fun!

Choices, choices...too many choices.

This year when I was asked what was on MY list, I tried to be practical:

Slippers
Socks
Hats
Scarves
B&N gift card (to feed my eBook addiction)

The family told me I am BORING. (Can you imagine?) You see, they KNOW me and they know when it comes to my wish list, I am usually anything but practical.)

So...they want a better list? Here is list #2.

Shearling slippers from LLBean (because my feet are worth $80 slippers right?)
Pandora Charms for my bracelet
B&N Giftcards
Anything chocolate
A new moleskin notebook that fits in my bag
A weekend away (with hubby!)
(Hats, scarves and gloves still apply!)


Not sure that list #2 is so much better than list #1, but at least it's more specific. I'm thinking of printing out the list and hanging it on the refrigerator so there are no excuses when anyone says they didn't know what to get me this year.

How about you? Got anything that's a "must-have" on your list this year?

Happy scribbling and shopping (but not at the same time!)

A Monday Myth - Four days off to write!

Ah yes, the lure of four days off from the day job...what to do with all that time? Yes, I started out with good intentions.

First came Thanksgiving. All the cooking, cleaning, eating and drinking = no writing, all play. (It's a holiday, I feel NO guilt!)

Friday, I woke up with more good intentions to sit at the computer and get some words written on the WIP. I refuse to do the Black Friday thing and instead we stayed around the house, eating leftovers. More company for cake and coffee that night = no writing. (And I did order one thing online...so does that count as Black Friday shopping?)

Saturday, nail appointment (for some festive holiday color and sparkles!) and dinner reservations with family in the early evening = more drinking, more eating and more laughing...but no writing.

Sunday arrived and the lure of the stores and some sales finally called to me. First we went out to breakfast then we hit a few stores, restocked the refrigerator after being full of Thanksgiving fixings, bought a few Christmas gifts on the list and even bought a coat for the new puppy! I enlisted son #2 to sit and watch a romance (While You Were Sleeping) for an online plotting class I'm currently enrolled in. And yes, you guessed it - none of that equaled any time to write.

Last year, the lack of writing for the last four days would have made me sad, would have given me fits of guilt.

This year, I've embraced my lifestyle. I spent these few days surrounded by the family I love, enjoyed leisurely breakfasts and watching the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. Not every day must be spent in pursuit of ONE goal. The goal of spending time with the family came first these last few days.

But...it's Monday morning and the pull of the WIP calls to me, so it's back to the 5:30am alarm for me.

Hope you enjoyed some time this Thanksgiving weekend doing what makes you happy!

Happy Scribbling my friends.

Thanksgiving Greetings (and a pie!)

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish you all a day filled with family and friends, good food and memories that will last a lifetime.

This year, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I am reminded just how quickly life changes around us. So many of my fellow Long Islanders lost everything in a few short hours. I know I complained about being without electricity for 9 days and yes, I complained about standing in the cold with hubby to fill gas cans for our generator - but we were lucky, we HAVE a generator! This year as we sit around the table with our loved ones near and an abundance of food on our table, I know how lucky and blessed we are.

I wish you all those same blessings for this holiday and for the year ahead.

And if you want a little chocolate for your dessert table (and who doesn't?) Here's the Chocolate Pecan Pie I'll be serving up this year.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

1 cup chocolate chips

2 large eggs

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Pie crust - either homemade or prepared

Heat oven to 350.

Bake pie crust 3 to 4 minutes.

Sprinkle pecans and chocolate chips over bottom of crust.

In a medium bowl, using a mixer at medium speed, beat eggs, corn syrup and sugar until smooth. Beat in the melted butter until blended. Pour the mixture into the crust.

Bake 60 minutes or until filling is firm. Cool on wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Can also be served at room temperature.

Enjoy.

*Graphic by Little Birdie Blessings.

A Monday Myth - Thanksgiving is a family holiday

THEN:

Growing up I loved Thanksgiving.

Either the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would be on in the den or we'd venture into the city to stand in the cold with the throngs of people eager to see Snoopy and Santa.

Our Thanksgiving dinner was rarely before 4pm to give any relatives attending the parade ample travel time - and there was always those few relatives that didn't drive and needed to be picked up, etc.

Our Thanksgiving table was always filled to capacity with family and sometimes friends. There were the years we had the adult table and the kids table. Lots of good food, wine when I was old enough, and warm family memories will forever be held in my heart.

Before dessert, the sounds of the football games would drift into the dining room from the den and the men would disappear. After dessert the couches and chairs would be full of bodies too stuffed to move and falling asleep to the laughter of jokes and the family chaos a holiday brings.

Thoughts of Christmas and want we wanted to put on our lists floated around the room - all of us comparing what we'd hoped Santa would bring.

The last guest rarely left our house before 11pm.

NOW:

Over the last few weeks my mailbox has been flooded with the ads from the large retail chains announcing their "doorbuster" Thanksgiving day sales that begin at 8pm on Thanksgiving night! These same stores announce their opening on the holiday at every commercial break when I sit down to watch TV at night. (I can't believe they're proud of this behavior.)

For years now Thanksgiving has been overlooked by the stores as an actual holiday - we jump right from Halloween decorations to Christmas decorations. Now it's not at all about family, about the one non-religious day the whole country unites around to give thanks for all the good in our lives - NO, it's now about the start of the holiday buying season - it's about the all-mighty buck.

It's about having no respect for the retail employees who will work their tails off over the next few weeks with ridiculous hours while the stores try to cash in on every single buying second of the day they can. Don't those people deserve to spend a holiday dinner with their families too? I feel terrible for the people that will leave their dinner table at 6pm to be at their registers in the Targets and the Kmarts to greet customers at 8pm.

For me, I have no intention of leaving my house. I will get up and the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade will be playing in my living room - from start to finish. My husband and I will be cooking and my kids will be home - sucking up the memories. Our guests will arrive and they will be greeted with smiling faces, lots of food and the promise of passing out on my couch till after midnight if they so choose!

After dinner the holiday music will be turned on and over dessert and coffee my family will NOT talk about black-Friday sales. For one day, we will give thanks for what we do have - not what we want. We'll give thanks for the loved ones seated at our table, because you never know who won't be there next year.

There's plenty of time for holiday shopping - I refuse to let it intrude on a family holiday. (As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of NOT patronizing any store that opens on Thanksgiving night at all for ANY of my holiday shopping this year. I know, I'm getting old and cranky, but this has really managed to get under my skin this year.)

How about you? Will you be out patronizing the stores that open on Thanksgiving?

The holiday 15 minute rule

How is it only a week before Thanksgiving?

Once again I feel like the holiday has come way too fast and I'm so not ready.

This year it's our turn to host the family for Thanksgiving, and I haven't even started shopping yet. I lay the blame for my lack of being in holiday mode solely at the feet of Hurricane Sandy and our being powerless at our house for 10 days. Running my refrigerators on a generator for 6 hours a day didn't instill enough confidence for me to run out and buy a 25 lb turkey before now.

The day job requires me to be there five hours a day, hubby just started a new job that keeps him from home for 12 hours a day (including his commute time...poor guy!) and add to the mix 3 kids, 2 cats and a brand new puppy being housebroken and you've got a recipe for CONFUSION!

So I am instituting the "holiday 15 minute rule." I'm a big fan in breaking everything down into small bite-size chunks - everything from saving for a big purchase to a project that's huge and daunting - everything just seems more doable in small doses.

Not familiar with the 15 minute holiday rule? Here's the way things run in my house...

(1) Make a list of all the things that need to be done for the holiday. (And I mean ALL the things! Everything goes on the list.)
(2) Tackle the items on your list in 15 minute bursts. Don't be afraid to delegate - give the kids 15 minutes to do something on the list - even if it's folding napkins or making those holiday place cards.

For example, in 15 minutes I can pull out the holiday decorations from storage. In 15 minutes I can go through the pantry to determine what staples for the holiday baking I need to stock up on. In 15 minutes I can make the holiday food shopping list...etc.

By breaking it down into 15 minute chunks of time several times a day, I can accomplish most of my holiday stress list without being all that stressed - then I can concentrate on the larger issues like setting aside enough time to bake the pies, actually DO the holiday shopping and cooking the meal.

I also add in a few 15 minute time slots during the day to write 500 words and a coffee/tea break ('cause nobody's happy in my house if I'm stressed out!)

Now I need some easy holiday recipes, because I'm just tired of serving the same old things! Do you make anything easy and special for a change of pace?

Happy scribbling my friends!

 

Six Sentence Sunday - Lilly meets the Sheriff

Since my last "Six Sentence Sunday" the previously untitled western time travel romance I'm working on has officially been named!

A few weeks ago we met the heroine, Lilly. Below is a glimpse of her meeting the hero of "Surrender to the Sheriff."

Enjoy and happy Sunday my friends!

Sam's fingers threaded through the hair at the base of her neck, hot goose bumps peppered her skin everywhere he touched. His lips left her mouth to glide along her jaw on the way to her ear.

"I can't do this without you," he whispered.

 By the time he released her with a heavy sigh, her legs wobbled beneath her.

Lillian reached up and traced the edge of his stubbled chin, searched his eyes and squelched the tiny stab of jealousy rushing through her chest for the real Lilly this man so obviously loved and planned to marry. Tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, Sheriff Sam Harden was everything Grandma Rose had portrayed him to be.

Until next time, happy reading.

 

This, That and a bowl of soup

Wow, the last ten days have been crazy here in the north east. In my little corner of Long Island we were without power for 8 days. Gas is ridiculously hard to come by, lines stretch for blocks with people looking to either fill up their cars to get to work or to fill gas cans to run the generators keeping their families warm in the cold temps.

And in the midst of people clearing away trees, searching out hot meals and equally hot showers - the country voted.

I've witnessed extension cords tethering generators from house to house, neighbor to neighbor. I've witnessed screaming at the pumps as people filled huge SUVs full of gas while people waited for a precious 5 gallons for their generator to keep their family warm. And through it all, the hate of the campaign flowed alive and well on facebook and twitter to push political agendas. Yup, people are interesting.

What did I do during my time without electricity?

I enjoyed some down time with my family. Yes, there was lots of grumbling and complaining, but we are lucky to have a generator and an engineer husband who can hotwire anything!

I had my logo updated to coordinate with my website! Since I could get online every now and then on my smartphone, I enlisted the designing talents of Amy from BrandLand. She took my logo and gave it a fresh feel with colors to match my website and added my tagline. I love it and hope you do too!

The morning the storm started I made soup! Because soup is a comfort food for me and I have this dream that one day my family will embrace the magic elixir like I do. Yes, I know...I'm a dreamer.

Squash & Carrot Soup

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 large onion - chopped

2 large carrots - chopped

1 1/2 lbs. squash (I've used butternut and acorn, both with good results) - cut into chunks

6 cups water or low-sodium broth (I've used chicken and vegetable broths, both with good results)

Salt & pepper

Rosemary

Thinly sliced scallions - optional as a garnish

Heat the oil in a large pot, add onion, salt & pepper. Stir frequently and cook about 6 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add carrots and squash. Cover and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water or broth and a few sprigs of rosemary and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the veggies are tender (about 15 minutes.)

Either blend the soup in small batches or just mash the squash and carrots inside the pot. Add a little cornstarch to thicken if desired. Continue to cook and serve hot with scallions on top if desired.

Great with toasted rye bread for dipping too!

What is your go to comfort food in a storm?