RACHEL!

Okay, so while I know that there are many people that do not care for Rachel Ray, there are others out there that just LOVE her. I would be one of them. When I heard that she was going to be at the bookstore that is literally right across the street from where I live, I knew I HAD to go. A special thanks to my wonderful boss for letting me take a half day to meet RACHEL!

Signing my book!



Yes so like a crazy fan, the only thing I said to her was, "I love you so much Rachel!!" To which she replied with a sweet smile, "Thank you! Happy Holidays!" That's all I needed...geez I was quite content!

Me being a creeper taking pictures on my knees...



The crowd...



Here's my cookbooks!

My mixer!!!!

There she is. Isn't she a beauty? I named her Marge...Marge the Mixer. I predict that 2009 will bring many many memories between Marge and I. I just LOVE her!

A special thanks to my *wonderful* parents who bought this beauty for me for Christmas.

Cranberry Orange Cookies

First off let me just say...YUM!

This recipe is absolutely amazing and I would absolutely recommend making these cookies TODAY!

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar (I omitted this. I accidentally left it out of the first batch, made it with the second, and definitely preferred the cookie without.)
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp zest
juice from 1/2 an orange
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup cranberries (I used craisins)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the flour, baking soda and salt together. Set the bowl aside.

In a seperate bowl, combine the sugar and butter and beat for about 3 min. (I combined these with my hands b/c my hand mixer was not working well. If only I had waited two more days and I could have used my new kitchenaid mixer!)

Add yolk to sugar and butter mixture.

Add o.j., zest and vanilla to the mixture.

Slowly add in your flour until it is just mixed. (Don't overmix!)

Stir in cranberries.



My little Wilton cookie scoop that I just *had* to have in order to make these cookies!



About to go in the oven!



Unfortunately being the wonderful new blogger that I am, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product. :/ I will tell you that they were YUMMY! Even my picky husband closed his eyes and said "mmmmmmmmm!"

Source: Katie's blog

First post!

Well after months of devouring cooking blog after cooking blog, I have finally decided to make my own! My DH was really the one who pushed me to do this. He is my very appreciative eater and main supporter of my cooking. Of course he is wonderful...but here's the kicker. HE DOESN'T EAT HIS VEGETABLES! I know this is quite the shocker and I am sure nobody feels my pain out there. :P What is it with these boys? I have made it my personal mission to sneak in as many veggies in as possible without him knowing, and usually succeed quite well!

Stay tuned as I document the second half of our first year together!

I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I have enjoyed yours!