Happiness Is (Part One)

A cookie jar full of cookies


1 c veg shortening
1 c brown sugar
1 c sugar
Cream together

2 eggs
2 t vanilla extract
Beat into sugar mixture

1 1/2 c flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
Sift together and add to sugar egg mixture

2 c rolled oats
1 c flaked coconut
Stir in

2 c Rice Crispies
Fold in

Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 in apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 min @ 350.

Boston Salad Dressing

1/3 cup olive or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro or parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon powder

Mix all ingredients well

(Photo courtesy JDP Studios.)

Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie (makes 2- 9" pies or 1 large pie)
Mix together
1/2 C flour
1/2 t salt
3 3/4 C sugar

Melt and add to above
2 sticks margarine

Add and mix well
6 eggs- slightly beaten
1 C buttermilk
2 t vanilla
Bake at 350 till center is solid After you put the pie crust in the pan, put it in the freezer while you mix up the filling.... it keeps the crust from getting soggy.

Play Doh

Mom made Play Doh. As you can see, it turned out very well. And it's pretty easy.

1 cup flour (or pancake mix)
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar (apparently you can use 1:1 baking soda:baking powder instead)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup water

While bringing water to a boil, mix dry ingredients. Add liquids. Add additional flour until the right consistency. For coloring, you can use either food coloring or unsweetened Kool Aid.

This is one of my favorite recipes

Cinnamon-Swirl Raisin Bread

1 1/2 c warm milk (110-115 deg)
1 c mashed potatoes (w/o added milk and butter)
1/2 c butter or margarine, melted
1/4 c sugar
2 tsp salt
2 pkg active dry yeast
1/2 c warm water (110-115 deg)
6 1/2 - 7 c flour
1 1/2 c raisins

Filling:
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

In a large bowl, combine milk, potatoes, butter, sugar and salt. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add potato mixture and 2 c flour; beat until smooth. Fold in raisins. Stir in enough remaining flour to form soft dough. Turn onto lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 min. Place in greased bowl, turn, cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down and divide in half. Roll each into 16x8" rectangle. Combine cinnamon and sugar. Here is where I do my own trick, which I have found to make it better (more moist). Spread about 1 tbsp oil onto the rolled out dough before sprinkling cinnamon sugar mixture over it. (That was a trick from another recipe, which this one does not do.) Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over rectangles to within 1/2 " of edge. Foll up, starting with short side. Pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down into 2 greased 9x5x3 pans. Cover and let rise 30 min or until doubled. Brush with butter. Bake at 350 deg for 40-45 min.

It is to die for.

I made brownies

This is my new favorite recipe.

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

This is another thing I've noticed about blogs. They pose pictures a lot. For example, in my brownie shot, I've got the milk next to it, just for a little something special. In knitting blogs people often put their knitting in trees or flower beds. It makes me laugh. Anyway, this picture is me trying to be "artsy."

Also, in this batch I tried adding caramel to them and that did not work out so well. Perhaps it was because my caramel wasn't really caramel but buttermilk syrup. Anyway, don't do that. They never really sat/came together...but they were still tasty.

I think they are easier and better than brownies in a box. Cheaper, too.