New Sport

John did it again to Elliott. He signed him up for another sport.  He is trying to keep the boy active and in shape.  Now the three of us need to join him. 

So Elliott has been learning basketball.  Practice started in December and he is enjoying it.  The coach makes it fun.  They think they are playing yet they are learning so much during practice.  I enjoy going to practice with Elliott. Not only do I see how much he is learning, I am learning also.  Plus, I get to see these young, talented athletes learn and grow.  Soon they’ll be seniors and we, parents, will be reminiscing.

Saturday they had their first game.  We had to be at the school early but the boys were ready.  They had fun, made it look like they had been playing for a while and they won!  I have a short video as I ran out of space on the video camera.  Lesson learned. That won’t happen again. But I am not able to upload it at this time, so here is a photo. I'll keep trying.

Elliott is the third kid under the basket - the tall one!

Elliott is #8.  For his first year, he did exceptionally well.  He proved to be a great guard (knew he would be), he was quick to get rebounds, and he made two baskets!  I enjoyed cheering him and his team on! 

 

Go Panthers!

More Cookies

Buttermilk and cookies. 

I love baking with buttermilk.  The recipes taste lighter and are just better than using regular milk.  I always plan to freeze leftover buttermilk as I don’t like to waste it.  So the last time I bought buttermilk we had buttermilk pancakes, twice, and I made four loaves of buttermilk bread (we shared) and then I made buttermilk cookies.  I have been going through my recipes and I pulled out the recipe for buttermilk cookies.  Well, let me tell you I was not disappointed and this recipe has earned a page in our approved recipe binder. I know I’ll be making a lot of these from now on.  The recipe called for ¼ - ½ tsp. ground nutmeg. I used ¼ tsp. and was disappointed so I changed the recipe to call for ½ tsp. ground nutmeg.  These are frosted cookies and the nutmeg gives them just the right burst of tasty goodness.  These are perfect for an afternoon cup of tea or coffee!

Buttermilk Cookies

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 ½ cups flour
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ cup buttermilk

Frosting:

4 Tbsp. softened butter
4 Tbsp. softened cream cheese
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375˚.  Cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the egg and vanilla and beat well.  Combine the dry ingredients.  Gradually add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, until well combined.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a greased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, 2-inches apart.

Bake at 375˚ for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.  Let cool before frosting.

Mix the frosting ingredients together and beat until mixture is at desired spreading consistency. I added a tsp. of milk.

Frost and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**You may want to double the recipes as this only made 3 dozen cookies and they disappear quick.

 

Molasses and the New Year!

Happy New Year!  2014 has started off cold but we are all healthy.  Cheers.

So I haven't blogged in a long time and I have a recipe that I have not shared with you. Honestly, it is a delicious recipe. It has molasses in it.  You can't go wrong with molasses.  When I think of molasses I automatically think of cornbread, lots of butter and hot tea.   I know, most people would think BBQ.  I love to pour molasses over a hot piece of split cornbread that has been smothered in real butter.  Then sit down with a fork, a hot cup of tea, and eat. It is pure bliss.  Oh, I need to make some cornbread.

I buy a lot of molasses. I make gingersnap cookies and molasses cookies often.  The gingersnaps are a regular because the recipe makes 8-9 dozen and they freeze well. Everyone seems to like them. Elliott's friend loves them and if the cookie jar holds them, he bypasses all desserts and asks for gingersnaps.  That makes me smile.

I have been going through my clipped recipes and found a recipe for frosted molasses cookie bars.  I knew I had to make these. They did not disappoint. This recipe has been added to our approved recipe collection.

Frosted Molasses Cookie Bars

1 ½ cups sifted, all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ cup molasses
1/3 cup water

Glaze:

2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1-3 Tbsp. milk

Grease and flour a jelly roll pan. 

Heat oven to 350˚F.  Sift flour with baking powder, salt, soda and spices.  Set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar until light.  Beat in the egg, molasses and water. With mixer on low speed, beat in the sifted flour mixture just until combined.  Spread in prepared pan.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Place pan on wire rack.  To make glaze, combine butter, sugar and beat in 2-3 tablespoons milk.  Spread over warm bars and cut into squares.

These are delicious!  By the time I got the camera out (a few days later), they were gone.  Make these - they are easy and so very, very good.