The Fun Kids are Coming

The Cincinnati Fun Kids are pink dress,
and the two boys in blue shirts.

Monday is fast approaching. Yes!

When I was in Chicago today picking up JL from her appointment at Rush Presbyterian Hospital, we detoured north to Belmont so that I could pick up some beautiful Christmas cookies for the Cincinnati Fun Kids.

The pastries and baked good at Bittersweet are just beautiful, aren't they?

Oreo Surprise

( first 3 images from Bakerella)

During our recent trip to CA's hometown, his sister LFW made similar cookies for us using Pillsbury ready-to-bake cookie dough. She wrapped the dough around the Oreo, but left one flat side uncovered. That's the side she placed on the baking sheet. The resulting cookie was warm and chewey with a crunchy Orep surprise.

Great recipe to make with kids.

I'd already decided to try a homemade version, so I'm pleased to find this version ready to roll.

Peach Ice Cream, A William's Sonoma Recipe

 

 

 

Since we had such delicious peaches, we borrowed LL's ice creamer maker, a Kitchenaid mixer attachment, and made two batches of William's Sonoma Fresh Peach Ice Cream.

 

A great, rich recipe. It comes out a bit soft-serve, so we pressed some plastic wrap right onto the ice cream, them sealed the freezer container. Kept it fresh and non-icey for days.

 

For the very last serving of the first batch, I crumbled some French butter cookies (Sablés) into the ice cream. Delicious!

 

Fun Kids Club: Sewing Circle and S'mores

LG wants to learn to sew. LG is persistent. So just before dinner tonight we gathered our sewing circle, some felt squares, bits of ribbon, and my very basic Singer. We made 4 pillows stuffed with fiber-fil and trimmed with ribbon and bows--except no bows and man-ish ribbon for 6-year old JA. LE opted for a hot be-jeweled hot pink purse on a beaded chain. Poor little feverish LC cannot be forgotten. Luckily, I'd made a bright blue felt pillow with silky ribbon tabs for him over a year ago, and will finally deliver.

 

Grandma had a pajama day. Showering mid-afternoon and changing into yet another set.

 

Then, we enjoyed a delicious baked ziti casserole, salad with garden tomatoes, and baguettes--prepared by JE and MA. Their turn tonight.

Never promise children S'mores unless you know 100% you can deliver. Last night, prior to our bear hunt, was not pretty. It was chilly and we hadn't lit the grill for our risotto dinner. For some reaon the grandkids (8-6-5-4-3-2) did not understand the change of plans.

So, it became imperative that tonight there would be S'mores. After another non-grilled dinner, grandpa-PaPa, fired up the Weber and there were S'mores. Delicious S'mores. I had two.

 

Baking Today

Martha's Rhubarb-Raspberry pie, again.

 

 

Orange-Basil Mandel Bread (Biscotti)

 

 

CA put together up the pie pastry for me. He's a pro. Usually, he does the crust and I do the filling and assembly. Pie is his most favorite. Breakfast-snack-dessert. With high quality vanilla ice cream, of course.

 

 

I decided to sprinkle some gold sugar on top before baking. Unimpressive, I decided.

 

 

We also made two small four-berry pies to freeze and bake later. Blueberries-strawberries-black berries-raspberries. Again, used a Martha recipe to great results.

 

Chocolate Cravings

 

These are a peanut butter-chocoholic's dream come true. Kit Kats done better. With creamy layers of PB sandwiched between crispy wafers and smooth milk chocolate.

 

I think these were gone for a few years, but I've been buying them at our local WalMart for a couple of months.

 

You just have to take a small bite, then separate the layers with your tongue, to perfectly experience the peanut butter-y, creamy milk chocolate, and crunch.

 

When Spring Finally Arrives

You need to subscribe to Souvenir, an online magazine.

 

Peepsters

Today, RvH introduced us to Peepsters. Never knew she loves Peeps. I'm cool toward Peeps, although there are some good Easter memories involving Peeps.

 

The milk chocolate Christmas Peepsters were Yummy! I only ate 2...