DONE...finally!

 After the past three weeks of pure, manic, Christmas panic - as of five minutes ago, I am done.

All the presents and stocking stuffers bought and accounted for.  All the gifts wrapped, shipped (and received), and those that weren't shipped are ready to find their place under the tree. All the Christmas baking (well...except for whatever will be served Christmas Eve - but I feel sure that what my son will request can be done in under 20 minutes) is done.  Just in time for Suzanne's Christmas Cookie Swap.

All that's left is to create the cookie plates for the neighbors and friends, which will be done and delivered tomorrow.  And then to clean the house for Christmas Eve chaos.

This year I went with the usuals leaving out anything extra - as usual the cookie dough (minus the spritz) the was prepped and ready hanging out in the freezer since late October/early November - in theory, it saves SO MUCH TIME.  But the reality?  Making that many cookies - even with the prepared, thawed dough takes all afternoon.

Yesterday, I made chocolate chip cookies (around 70, I think) peanut butter (around 60) and the gingersnaps (also around 70).  Yes, I know - that's a LOT of cookies.

Today I made the peanut butter fudge (a double batch! My neighbor two doors down LOVES this fudge), a double batch of the infamous but ridiculously easy almond bark and the spritz cookies (around 80).  And although, I  finally figured out the secret to this dough last year; this particular cookie is still a significant amount of work and MESS to make.  I seriously thought about posting a picture of the state of my kitchen after making said cookies; but determined that my self-esteem could not live with the thought of that mess hanging out on the internet for all of eternity.

As I am unsure of the rule of the said Christmas Cookie Swap; I shall share the recipes for each treat below in the order in which my recipes are appearing before me as I type:

Almond Bark (amended to read "Ridiculously Easy and Incredibly Delicious Almond Bark")

6 squares of semi-sweet chocolate bar (1 bar)

6 squares of white chocolate (1 bar)

1 cup toasted almonds

Toast the almond (watch carefully; do not let them burn).  I usually do this on the stovetop in a skillet stirring constantly.  Microwave chocolate and white chocolate in separate bowls on high for 2 minutes or until almost melted.  Again, watch carefully.  I generally let it go for a minute, stop to stir and guesstimate how much more time will be needed.  I stop before it's fully melted to stir the chocolate until fully melted.  FYI, white chocolate seems to melt quicker than the semi-sweet. Stir equal amounts of almonds into each bowl.  On a was paper lined cookie sheet, alternately spoon melted chocolates.  Swirl chocolates together with a knife to marbleize.  Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.  Break into pieces.

Peanut Butter Fudge (also ridiculously easy)

1 cup of creamy peanut butter

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon of salt

4 cups(!) powdered sugar

Line an 8 inch or 9 inch square baking pan with foil; leaving an overlap to lift finished fudge out.

Melt the peanut butter and butter together in a large bowl (I use the microwave - again watching carefully). Stop the microwave every minute or so to stir the mixture until completely melted and smooth.  Once done, stir in the vanilla using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.   Add the salt and stir.  Add the powdered sugar and stir until completely combined.  The mixture should be very thick and resemble cookie dough.  Press the fudge into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spatula or spoon.  Cover tightly with foil and chill for at least 4 hours or until firm.  Cut into pieces.

Gingersnaps

6 tablespoons shortening

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup molasses

1 egg

2 1/3 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar to roll dough balls in

In a large bowl cream sugar, shortening and butter.  Add molasses and egg and beat again until everything is combined.  In a separate bowl whisk together the dry ingredients; add to the butter mixture; mix well.  Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F.  Roll dough in small balls.  Drop and roll in the extra sugar until fully coated.  Place balls 2 inches apart on a greased (or parchment paper lined) cookie sheet.  Bake for about 11 minutes for cookies that are crisp with a soft center or up to 13 minutes for a crispier cookie.

Peanut Butter Cookies

These might be my favorite cookies to make; my dad used this exact recipe to make these for us occasionally when we were kids.  They are also another neighbors absolute favorites.

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of butter (unsalted

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed (and I mean PACKED) brown (preferably dark) sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375.  Stir/whisk flour, soda and salt.  In a mixer bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds.  Add peanut butter and sugars; beat till fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla; beat well.  Add dry ingredients to the beaten mixture; beat till combined.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in granulated sugar, if desired (do it).  Place 2 inches apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Crisscross each cookie with the tines of a fork.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Remove and cool.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/12 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1  package of semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Stir together flour, soda and salt.  In a mixer bowl beat butter and shortening for about 30 seconds.  Add sugars and beat till fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.  Add dry ingredients; beating until combined.  Stir in chocolate pieces.  Drop from a teaspoon 2 inches apart onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Baked for 8-10 minutes.  Remove and cool.

And this is a representation of what my cookie plates will look like tomorrow.

Book Review: In The Garden of Spite - A Novel of The Black Widow of LaPorte by Camilla Bruce

Had you ever heard of one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history?

Neither had I until I picked up this fictionalized version of her atrocities.

And based on my internet sleuthing after reading this book; it may be the closest thing to the truth that we will ever know about Belle Gunness.

One of the descriptors of this book call it An Audacious Novel of Feminine Rage.  And while I do not condone killing people; after what this poor woman went through (I can't figure out if that part was the fictionalized part or not), I can kind of understand that her mind broke and led her to do what she did.

And what happened at the end?  Oh, well. I think that was the most horrific part and possibly broke her mind (and heart) even more.

After all this time, we will never know the true story of what actually went down; but this book gives as good a theory as we are ever going to get.

I simply could not put this book down.

Were the details of some of the killings a little graphic?  Yes.  But the underlying story was what kept pulling me back to this book.  To the detriment of my household chores, sadly.  I now have a lot of catching up to do.

Christmas Prep

 After sitting on the floor for approximately FOREVER yesterday while wrapping gifts, my panic over Christmas prep has been dialed back exactly ONE notch.

Also, this may be the last year spent on the floor wrapping; my poor back may never recover.

As of today, I'm done with my mother-in-law's gifts and almost ready to mail; I just need to find the perfect size box for mailing - the only ones I have on hand are either too small or too large (a true Goldilocks conundrum).  I feel pretty good about the kid's gifts (just couple more to procure) and stocking stuffers.  Absolutely at DEFCON ONE stage of panic about The Husband's (and, of course, he's not giving me any ideas) and two of the kids two doors down.  I realize parent's don't need the added hassle at this time of year of being asked for gift ideas; but I have no choice but to ask AGAIN.

Most of the cookie dough has been prepared and frozen, ready for baking - leaving only the Spritz Cookies, the peanut butter fudge and the almond bark - none of which can be prepared ahead of time, to my knowledge.

The tree is up, the porch lights are up.  Garland and stockings on the mantle. Battery operated candles in the front windows.  And that's it for Christmas decorations.

In the past few years, I have scaled WAY back on the decorations simply because putting them up and taking them down was exhausting.  Not to mention feeling far too cluttered.  I think I have hit on just the right amount of holiday decorating for us.

And after much waffling, and list culling, I've pulled the trigger and ordered cards which I will pick up tomorrow.

We are in full on holiday mode/panic around here.  How about you?

Thanksgiving/Christmas Countdown

Yes, believe it or not, I'm still here.

Thanksgiving is in TWO days and Christmas is less than a month away.  Am I prepared?  No, I am not.

But I'm trying.  I have procured all the supplies necessary for the pies that I want to make for Thursday.  And I plan on making them tomorrow.

This will be a slightly different Thanksgiving this year as we are not hosting - but instead will head two doors down to celebrate with our dear friends.  A and S will unfortunately not be joining us; heading to her parents instead.

I am being a good sport about this - this first Thanksgiving without my "baby" at the table.

Turns out that our Thanksgiving feast will also be a first.  Apparently, instead of the usual turkey dinner we will be dining on brisket and salmon.  And although, I thought I was ambivalent about turkey - I will miss the gravy, stuffing and turkey.  I have promised my husband that I will harass him about this travesty several times on Thursday; since our child won't be here to do the honors (that child is fanatical about tradition).

Yesterday, I tried to take advantage of the warmer weather to set up our outdoor lighting situation.  My pre-lit garland foiled that plan.  So this morning, I headed out to Michael's to procure new garland.  Only to have to turn around and go back to Michael's as the garland I bought wasn't long enough.  This wouldn't be an issue except for the fact that Michael's is at least 20 minutes away (one way).  But I persevered and got the lighting up before the cold weather hits (tomorrow).  And I hounded The Husband to get it all connected and ready to go.

Then, in a spurt of productivity I was able to get the rest of the decorations (tree, etc.) up.

Now, I just need to sit down and focus on present buying.  This particular chore has been put off even later than usual and now I need to get it done! 

I'm vacillating on whether or not to do cards this year.  Maybe if I can find some decent cards after making pies tomorrow.  No pictures since we haven't seen the kids often enough to find the time for pictures.  I really need to be more proactive about that next year (seems like I say this every year).

So what about you?  Are you set for Thanksgiving?  How about Christmas?

Book Review: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

So far, Riley Sager has yet to let me down when it comes to his novels, and The House Across the Lake was no exception.

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress, trying to elude a run of bad press, is pushed to her family's lake house in Vermont by her mother against Casey's wishes.  The very lake that made her a widow in the first place.

Once ensconced in the old lake house, armed with plenty of booze and an old pair of binoculars she inadvertently becomes obsessed with spying on her neighbors - a tech whiz and a former model.

A couple which makes it nearly impossible to not spy on.  Particularly after Casey pulls former model, Katherine, from the lake saving her from drowning.

From there you kind of think you know where this story is headed.  You are wrong.  Dead wrong.  I audibly gasped at one plot twist - it came out of nowhere.  

If a psychological suspense stories are your jam; you will love this one.  I promise. 

Book(s) Review - A Twofer - Strange Sally Diamond and Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

 Ok friends, I cannot remember who mentioned Strange Sally Diamond (Nicole, somehow I think it was you) by Liz Nugent but I cannot thank you enough.

After spending months on the waiting list for it at the library, I finally received it a few days ago and I devoured that book.  Here's the synopsis from Amazon -

Reclusive Sally Diamond is thrust into the media spotlight when she tries to incinerate her dead father, causing widespread outrage. Now she’s the center of attention, not only from hungry reporters and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she does not remember. As she begins to discover the repressed memories of her horrific early childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, big decisions, and learning that people don’t always mean what they say.
But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world, and why does he call her Mary? And why does her new neighbor seem to be obsessed with her? Sally’s trust issues are about to be severely challenged in this “truly incredible reading experience” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

For the first couple of pages I was thinking this might not be one that would grab my attention; but it quickly did and I was hooked.  I'm reluctant to say anything other than that Amazon synopsis because I'm afraid I'd give something away (there is a LOT to digest).

After I quickly finished that book, I went to the library to see what else they might have on the shelves from this author and I discovered Little Cruelties unfortunately, that was the only thing they had to offer.  

I also devoured this book in less than 24 hours.  Again, with the Amazon synopsis (yes, technically cheating when I let Amazon dominate the word count in this post but oh well...)

All three of the Drumm brothers were at the funeral.
But one of them was in the coffin.
William, Brian, and Luke: three boys, born a year apart, trained from birth by their wily mother to compete for her attention. They play games, as brothers do…yet even after the Drumms escape into the world beyond their windows, those games—those little cruelties—grow more sinister, more merciless, and more dangerous. And with their lives entwined like the strands of a noose, only two of the brothers will survive.
Hailed by New York Times bestselling author Shari Lapena as “brilliant, engrossing,” and perfect for fans of breathtaking suspense, Little Cruelties gazes unflinchingly into the darkness collecting in the corners of childhood homes, hiding beneath marriage beds, clasped in the palms of two brothers shaking hands. And it confirms that Liz Nugent is truly “a force to be reckoned with” (Lisa Jewell, New York Times bestselling author) in contemporary fiction.

Liz Nugent appears to be a genius when it comes to creating stories about seriously dysfunctional family dynamics.  In comparison to the families she presents in these two books, my family looks positively normal (they are not, at all - but, boy howdy!, they aren't this bad!)

As I mentioned, this was the only title on the shelves at my library; but I will most definitely be requesting more titles from this author.

Puzzling

 I admit it, I'm usually a sucker for a puzzle.  But this particular puzzle?  I've despised from day one.

Let's back up.  I started this puzzle last year, prior to Christmas.  I never did finish, because Christmas snuck up on me and I had to dismantle the puzzle (I've got to invest in one of those mats that allow you to roll up with unfinished puzzle and put it away) in large sections (to keep from starting from scratch) so that the guest room bed would be accessible to the Newlyweds when they stayed over Christmas Eve.

Earlier this week, I finally pulled the puzzle back out and once again set out to finish the puzzle as I need something to pass the time (and, apparently, house keeping isn't it) now that I'm unemployed.  And guess what?  This time around, I hated this puzzle even more.

After much thought was given (while poring over the damn thing) I came to the conclusion that this puzzle didn't have discernable facial features (other than eyes) and the there was barely a discernable difference between the color variations.

In sum, it was frustrating.

So, I am happy to report that I finally finished the stupid puzzle....

Only to be faced with this...

A leftover piece that doesn't belong (or is a duplicate).  Infuriating.

I guess I now need to find a new, less infuriating puzzle to do.  Or embrace house keeping (which, quite frankly, needs to be done but still isn't ranking high on my list of quality "Passing the Time" list.).

Not a real post but THE Best Chocolate Cake Ever

The kids were coming over today to celebrate S's birthday...his 30th birthday - how did that child get so old??

So I decided to make a chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache.

Friends, that ganache had me worried.  There's something about heating cream (or milk) on the stove that makes me nervous.  I'd never made ganache before and I was seeing all these warnings about how finicky it can be.  Those people are liars.  It was super easy.

The cake itself I wasn't worried about because I've made it before and it has always turned out perfectly and today was no exception.

When I tell you this is the best chocolate cake ever; I am not even kidding.  It is the most moist and delicious cake that I have ever had the pleasure to eat.  In fact, I've seriously given consideration to giving up any other future cake endeavors in favor of this one (not really). 

So today, I figured I'd share the recipe.

Without further ado -

Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salet
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs - room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot freshly brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two round cakes pans with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla.  Slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients just until incorporated.  The slowly beat in the hot fee until incorporated.

Pour the batter into the cake pans and bake for 35 minutes.

Original recipe found here.

I have made this cake with a peanut butter frosting (SO good), a raspberry cream cheese frosting and now with the ganache - and it hasn't failed me yet.  In fact, I'm already planning to use this recipe to make cupcakes for the cul-de-sac Fall block party later this month.  My only conundrum - what type of frosting.

This cake is so darn good - I even posted a
picture to Instagram (who am I?!)

Any suggestions for future frosting?  Do you have a fail safe cake recipe that has never let you down?  If not, you can have this one.

Western North Carolina - a horrific tragedy

 As many of you have surely heard by now; Western North Carolina was practically wiped out by Hurricane Helene.

The damage is mind blowing.  Who would have thought that a hurricane would strike up in the mountains that are at least 4-5 hours inland?

From what I'm hearing all roads in and out of the areas are closed - because they've either been washed away, are covered in mudslides, etc.

My bonus daughter and her partner live in the Asheville area - we've heard they are safe and fine; their house is undamaged but they don't have water.  And were told it may take three weeks to have the water restored.  Cell service is extremely spotty, so we don't always have a way to contact them.  We've told them to come here - if they can find a way out - but they are worried about leaving their house as the unsavory side of human nature has come into play as people are looting.

After several days, they were finally able to get to a grocery store so they have food.  But the one problem they have run into is they need cash.  None of the open stores are accepting payment by card (I assume because of lack electricity, lack of internet connections, etc.)  So that is something to tuck away in the back of your mind - when a natural disaster is looming (apparently now, no matter where you live) make sure you have plenty of cash on hand.  This would have never occurred to me before.

I read in the paper this morning that supplies are being airlifted into the affected areas and that supplies are also being brought in on mules.  Yes, you read that right.  The roads are in such horrific shape that only mules are able to pick their way through.

The thing is the news seems to be focusing on Asheville and other well known cities - but there are countless small towns that are completely cut off from EVERYTHING.  I was reading about one small town where the only way in or out is via a bridge.  A bridge that was swept away during the storm.

My heart hurts for all these people.  We don't even know yet if all the survivors have been rescued.

I saw pictures of the campus where my son went to college - the whole town was under water and there were sink holes all over the place.

Please keep the people in Western North Carolina in your prayers.  And, if you are able, please donate to the Red Cross to help them dig out and start over.

Season of Transition

 Whether we have children in school or not, I think for most of us, the onset of September equals a season where we transition - from summer to fall (and the ensuing holiday madness).

This year, as we are on the cusp of September - this will be a really big season of transition for me.  After twenty-three (TWENTY-THREE) years with the same company, I've been let go.

I won't go into all the details - some of which were totally unfair - but suffice it to say I'm still a bit salty at the whole thing.  Not at my boss, as none of this was his idea.  But at the way it all transpired.

But it did.

And honestly, despite being salty, I'm not really surprised as I knew they have been trying to remove as many "legacy employees" (those of us left over from the previous company) as they could - just last month I watched as a loyal employee of over thirty years (this employee actually made the move when the previous company moved to North Carolina; talk about dedication) was unceremoniously let go.

So after grieving for a few days (and honestly, being sick to my stomach all day every day); I'm ready to move forward and see what the future holds for us.  

Cross your fingers for us as we navigate into uncharted waters for the first time in a LONG time.