Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Shower for baby Nofield March 26,2011


One of my dears friend is about to embark on the journey of motherhood and I along with my friends had the honour of hosting her baby shower.

The planning had begun and I was like a kid in a candy store I love planning events. Jodi & her husband Jim had already let us know that they were expecting a baby boy. The furniture had been ordered and the room was coming together. I took my colour notes from there. Thus, and assortment of blues, browns and some white to soften the colour pallet. I had begun making large tissue puffs for decorations, I selected a collection of papers to make a bunting for over the fireplaces and to make tags.
I had stumbled upon an idea to have a milk and cookies party along with your traditional fair. So I set aside time to begin baking a couple cookies each day. I felt like a keebler elf the entire week. It was too much fun.
My Mom was kind enough to come out and help me make an assortment of tea sandwiches. Including asparagus, egg, tuna,cucumber and maraschino cherry with cream cheese. We had a wonderful time rolling and cutting off all the crusts. They sure turned out beautifully.
My girlfriends were also kind enough to bring some additional baking,tasty basil sliders, platters of fruits and vegetables.

We ended up with a nice group of ladies and good friends. I had been anticipating their arrival as well the arrival of the guest of honour. My living room was covered with an assortment of gifts large and small. Pastel colours peaked out along with diaper cakes piled high.
The ladies moved around nibbling, chatting and catching up. A good friend Jill had set up in my craft room and each guest was asked to put together a page for the baby's album. So between crafting and eating we were a busy group.

And when our tummies we full we set to the task of watching Jodi as she opened each carefully selected baby item. The oh's and the ah's were in full swing. After the unwrapping of lovely goodies. I asked my guest to joining me in a cookie, or two or three. I proceeded to unwrapped an icebox cake for the ladies to enjoy. With their Milk & Cookies.
I hope everyone had as much fun as I had putting the day together. And most of all that Jodi, Jim are blessed with a happy and healthy baby. We all can't wait to meet Baby Nofield!


On a side note some of the cookies that were served were as follows

Lightly Spiced Benne Sesame Cookies

1 cup sesame seeds, toasted 2 egg yolks

½ cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon cider vinegar

½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon vanilla

½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

  1. Preheat oven to 375˚. Coat non stick cookie sheets with non stick cooking spray: set aside
  2. Blend sesame seeds , flour baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in small bowl. Cream sugar and butter in medium bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, vinegar and vanilla : beat well .
  3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Slightly flatten cookies with fork.
  4. Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are just golden. Remove from heat. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Soft Ginger Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger ¼ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup molasses

¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup fat free sour cream

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 egg white

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚
  2. Combine flour, ginger ,baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves in a large bowl. Beat brown sugar , oil and molasses in large bowl with electrick mixer and medium speed 1 minute until smooth. Add sour cream and egg white: beat until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed until well blended.
  3. Drop dough by round tablespoons 2 inches apart onto uncgreased cookie sheets. Flatten dough to 1/8inch thickness with bottom of glass sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. Bake 10 minutes or until tops of cookies puff up and spring back when lightly touched. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove to wire racks:cool completely.

Makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies

Creamy Lemon Nut Bars

½ butter or marg. 1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar 2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla 3 eggs

1 ¾ cups flour divided ½ cup lemon juice

1/3 cup pecans, chopped 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line 13 x 9 baking pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. Mix butter, ½ cup powdered sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Gradually stir in 1 ½ cups of the flour and pecans. Press dough firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. BAKE 15 min.
  2. Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until well blended. Add remaining ¼ cup flour and eggs ; beat until blended.
  3. Stir in lemon juice and peel. Pour over baked crust in pan. Bake 30 minutes or until set. Remove from oven. ; cool completely. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar cut into 32 bars.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Gold fish crackers March 21,2011





What do you do on the first day of spring break. Well you thought were going to head out side and enjoy the sunshine! NOT!
So we spent the morning making homemade goldfish crackers sourced from Smitten Kitchen.
I of coarse did not have a goldfish cookie cutter so we used a small heart. Well boy were these easy and very tasty.


Soccer Jamboree March 18,2011





So in lue of the previous incident we didn't know if Sam was going to participate in the soccer wind up. When we arrived on Saturday morning only a couple of our team members showed up so Sam had to play. Well it was a great time and the kids gave it their all. We had a fabulous experience with joining soccer and hope that we will do it again.

The kids played three games 20 minutes each and because we didn't have many players the boys had to play the full games. Go Rhinos.

They end of the games the kids enjoyed some hot dogs, juice and some Tim Bits of coarse! Coach Dave & Coach Deb handed out awards, certificates and a new soccer ball.

PS the finally photo is taken by Julie Kilby


St Patricks Day March 17,2011





Well this was as exciting as Christmas at our house. Our teacher at Kindergarten had infused the children with such wonder and excitement for St.Patricks day it was fantastic. Throughout the whole month the kids had been reading, doing crafts, writing letters to Leppy the leprechaun and building houses(secretly they are traps). Well on St.Patricks day she mentioned doing a pancake breakfast, green of coarse. I was asked to help which I gladly accepted. Sam march happily to school, he waited patiently as he was told to stay in the cloakroom while I continued to help out. Well when the kids arrived what did they find but all of their house had been visited by Leppy and his friends, letter and treats were left for them, it was fantastic. I went off to start making the green pancakes. They spoke about the little visitors and read a few stories. Well when we served the pancakes they were gobbled up in a flash.
An amazing time was had by all the kids!

So as we were getting ready to leave, the kids putting their coats on and collecting their little house. Sam decided to mix it up a bit. One minute I was putting stickers on everyone the next my kid is flying towards the cloakroom on the floor. Blood was everywhere, Sam had a serious gash on his head! One of the parents passed me a wad of paper towels to put some pressure on the wound. The teacher is telling me to take him to the office. Well I was pretty lucky not only was the principal there helping but two student nurses from TWU. They went right into mode. I just kept affirming Sam that all was well. Next I bolted home to get my car. Returned to the school, and headed to the hospital. Well on my way I decided it was probably a good idea for some backup. So I pick up Mom & Dad J for help. We waited in the hospital for a couple of hours but to no avail did we progress. I was noted that the local clinic might to stitches so I gave a quick call and we were off. Well during this entire time Sam was in pretty good spirits, well until they started the stitches. Mom & Dad had to step in and hold him down while tears streamed down my face. Finally the ordeal was over! Now to heal!



March Birthday's March 12,2011




We hosted dinner for the March Birthday's Darren's family has quite a list of birthdays. On the menu was a salmon infused with lemons and gently seasoned with salt and pepper, Jeffery's roasted chicken(from the barefoot contessa), Kim's broccoli salad, a green salad brought by Donna, roasted cauliflower(also from the barefoot contessa), Georges's roasted potatoes and some baked yams.

The food turned out splendidly and clean up was a breeze as there was not too much to put away other than dirty dishes. For desert we enjoyed a ice cream cake made by Mom. I also tried making an Mocha ice box cake, and I am pleased to say turn out wonderfully. The third and finally desert was my staple Eton Mess.

It was lovely to have a full house and hear laughter and chatter amongst everyone. I hope everyone had as splendid time as we did.

Broccoli Salad

1 large head of broccoli
1 cup raisin/craisins
1 cup sunflower seeds
a bit of red onion for color

Dressing
1 cup mayo
1/3 c sugar
2tbsp apple cider vinegar

Chop broccoli in small pieces, add with remaining ingredients. Toss with dressing.



Monday, March 07, 2011

Making ravioli February 22,2011






I had been asking Darren to make ravioli for quite some time, as the previous time it was a hit at dinner time in addition to be very tasty.
So finally my wish was granted as Darren hauled out the pasta machine. Thus, the ravioli's began to come to fruition.
I love watching these tasty morsels being created. I think it makes them even more delicious.

Valentines @ Kindergarten February 14,2011





Not only was it Valentines but I was asked if I could help in the classroom that day. The kids were having a small party fill with goodness and sugary treats.
The week before they were given the task of making their own Valentine's mail bags. So as all the bags laid waiting for the pending cards and goodies the class room was decked out. They were able to enjoy a little movie with the other kindergarten class then back to their room to enjoy some fruits and veggies before delving into cupcakes and cookies.