Nostalgia

I told you earlier this week how I decided to make a couple of desserts for the birthday commemorations in our families.  After feasting on the cheeseball Friday night, on Saturday afternoon post-lunch the entire family received a slice of the Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.  I mean, seriously, how can you go wrong with a pie when the crust is made out of crushed Oreos?  You can't, it's impossible.  If you'd like to see the recipe and beautiful pictures of the Pioneer Woman creating this delicatessen, just click on the picture from her blog below.

Once everyone had gorged themselves on pie and visited adequately, my family left and it was a bit quieter house.  While the guys chilled on the couches and read this n' that, my mother-in-law and I decided to make a batch of cookies.  Not just any batch of cookies, but a variety she recently discovered in one of her magazines.  When she told me about this find, I told her that my mom and I had been making those for years.  Literally, years.

These cookies bring back memories...of school days...of living in Kansas City...of fun times just handing out with my mom in the kitchen.  We actually perfected this simple recipe by making them ONLY with a specific brand name of the main ingredient.

Before I tell you the title of these cookies, I'm going to show you a picture of one first.  Because they're really quite delicious and delicious-looking.  I want you to give these cookies a chance...you'll know why momentarily.

See?  Just a regular, good-lookin' cookie, right?  So many people turn their nose up at these and refuse to even try one.  But, do you know how many people who I can get to actually try them, decide that they don't like them?  None.  Not one.  Because THEY ARE GOOD.

OK, now for me to reveal the big secret.  Scroll down...I threw in some spaces here because I simply didn't want you to take a quick peek down and then disregard this recipe...a lot of people are judgmental and would do that.  But, not you, right?

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They're potato chip cookies.  And yes, you put real, salty, greasy, potato chips in the batter.  The best kind of potato chip that my mom and I have discovered is just the regular ol' Lays brand.  The thinner, more delicate and salty the chip...the better.  And Lays just fits that bill.

The salty/sweet combination of flavors within these cookies is so good.  I hadn't made them since...probably high school.  And they brought with them such a welcome, nostalgic feeling.  Here's the recipe:

Potato Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
2 cups crushed potato chips
1 (6 ounce) package butterscotch morsels

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.  I like to use my small scooper, but just be sure to make small cookies because these like to spread and if they're too big they'll take too long to bake and then, turn out hard.  That ain't no good.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Yields approximately 36 cookies.

Please give these cookies a chance and try them out!  I'm begging you!

Unbroken

Once David and I moved onto the second part of our vacation, I began this next book.

Not too long ago I had reviewed Laura Hillenbrand's first book, Seabiscuit.  For that review, simply click here.  I had really enjoyed Hillenbrand's writing style and so, the next time I went to the local used book store and noticed her newest book on the shelf, I grabbed it.  It's been on the New York Times bestseller list for weeks and I thought this would be an excellent book for David and I to read on vacation.  It was actually my first choice for the road trip even though we read it second.

This book was kind of an odd pairing with our previous read, but we managed.  For me (and David also), it was kind of hard reading two depressing books right after the other.  But, I explained to David that when you are only willing to read non-fiction, that's happens quite a bit.  It's one of the reasons I have the systematic reading schedule I do...to throw some fluff in there to break up all the seriousness.

So, while visiting HUGE sequoia trees in Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks we read the biographical story of Louis Zamperini.

(David and an uprooted sequoia)

(me and one of the many sequoias we saw)

The premise of Zamperini's story revolves around his life and experiences within the military.  He was a bombardier and ended up serving during World War II.  While on a mission to recover a plane's crew that went missing, Zamperini's own plane malfunctions and falls from the sky.  Only three men from the plane survive the crash and the first quarter of this book entails the horrors of trying to survive on two tiny life rafts in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

I will admit that there are parts within this section of the book that are kind of unbelievable.  In fact, I looked at David at one point and said that I hoped more than Louis survived to tell this story because it sounded a bit much.  And I will say that at least one other man survived to tell this tale...and both told the same story.  Pretty remarkable.  You know that old saying, "stranger than fiction?"  Yea, this is a perfect example; you couldn't make this stuff up.

I really don't want to say what happens next...because it's not revealed in the book blurb and if you're truly interested in reading this book, I don't want to ruin it for when you're almost halfway in.  But, I will say that this man's story is I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E. 

The one thing David really complained about was, and I quote (David, not the book), "How many times is the food situation going to become more dire?"  And he has a point.  This is an issue that is brought up repeatedly (again and again and again).

I give this book a big, fat A and cannot wait for Hillenbrand to write another book.  I know she's a non-fiction writer and has to do tons of research for her books, so it'll be a while yet.  But, I'm extremely impressed with both her writing style and choice of writing subjects thus far.  Needless to say, I highly recommend this book.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheeseball

When we came back from vacation last week, I had a quick day and a half to prepare for a big birthday weekend.  My dad's birthday was Friday and this past Sunday was my grandma's, David's mom's and my niece's birthday!  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my niece because she lives a ba-jillion miles away (not really), but I was lucky enough to spend time with the other three birthday kids.

Every year since David and I have met, this weekend has been spent apart.  I always go to celebrate my dad and grandma's birthday with them and he would always drive up to spend the weekend with his mom and help her celebrate.  This year I was able to finagle a gathering where all three were at our house here in Tulsa.  David's parents spent the entire weekend with us and the others came up for a quick day trip on Saturday. 

Because I knew it was going to be a long birthday weekend, I decided to make a couple sweet treats for the lucky birthday crowd.  This post entails one of these delicious treats.  One thing I really wanted to do was make something special for my mother-in-law.  She is a typical motherly person and as such, is always making everyone's favorite dishes except her own.  Heading in to the weekend I knew a couple things...she does NOT like fruit desserts.  In fact, she doesn't really like fruit in general.  What David and his sister both told me was peanut butter and chocolate (dark chocolate, specifically) are her favorites.  So, I had been eyeing a cheeseball recipe in my cookbook for a while and decided this might be the perfect opportunity to try it out.  It's from How Sweet It Is and was entitled Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheeseball...here's the link to the original post. 

I decided to mix it up a bit and put dark chocolate chips in the ball for the benefit of the person I was fixing it for, and I feel that it worked out pretty well.  Also, I would recommend cutting down the amount of graham crackers used, I had a whole ton left over. Below is my amended recipe:

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheeseball
adapted from How Sweet It Is

1-8oz block of cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 package graham crackers, crushed

Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peanut butter in a bowl and mix together. Fold in chocolate chips. Form into a ball and let set in the refrigerator.

Crush graham crackers in food processor. Remove ball from fridge and roll through graham crackers. Store in fridge until ready to use.

Serve with graham cracker stix and vanilla wafers.

This recipe is quite rich, so it doesn't take much to satisfy your sweet tooth.  I didn't remember to take a picture when I completed the chilling process, but I do have a picture for you after the four of us gnawed on it after supper on Friday night.

Pretty darn good, and this is about half gone.  So, this would probably be the perfect sweet to have out if you're planning on a gathering of around 8-10 people, perhaps a football party?  I served it with vanilla wafers and would definitely recommend doing so if you happen to try this recipe out.

Roadtrip Book Review - Part I

Our trip this year was a mishmash of locations.  First up was Las Vegas.  Neither David nor I are gamblers, so our time was mostly spent trying to hit all the "sights" of Vegas.  This included the Shark Reef, Hoover Dam, NYNY's rollercoaster, at least one show (we chose the Beatles' Love), the plethora of shopping opportunities and David's favorite-the infamous buffets.  We gorged a bit.  I might have gained 5 pounds in the two days we were there, in fact.  Luckily, I burned it all off hiking over the next few days.  Here are a couple pics from our excursion in the one and only Sin City.

After we left Vegas, we took a drive up to Yosemite National Park.  During this drive I read this book aloud for our entertainment.  Yes, I like to read aloud and yes, I know it's weird.

I read a blog recently that recommended a bunch of books regarding the situation (both past and present) in North Korea.  Since David ONLY likes to read non-fiction, I figured this might be a good place to start on our mini-road trip.

The premise of this book revolves around the author, Mike Kim's, life while volunteering his time trying to assist North Korean refugees.  He spent a year in California preparing for this opportunity and then spent two years predominantly in China trying to help in every way he could.  This book documents these three years.

The book is broken up into chapters documenting everything he saw and learned from the Korean brain-washing educational system, sex trafficking, Christianity in North Korea, the horrific gulags to the Asian underground railroad (much like American's prior to the Emancipation Proclamation).

After reading this book, I felt so thankful for our way of life here in America.  And it really does make you want to get up and help these poor people in North Korea that need all the help they can get...but, can't due to the current political situation.  I pray and hope that someday soon the people of North Korea will be freed from their bondage of famine, brain-washing, oppression and physical torture.  There are some true heroes that Kim highlights towards the end of this book and I know that more and more will rise to the occasion and help free these people some day.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you've never read anything about North Korea and are curious to read something that gives a good overall summary of the situation the people are dealing with there.

Quick Update!

I've been a bit MIA recently...sorry about that.  David and I took our (somewhat) yearly vacation last week.  I had intended on blogging a day or two before our departure date, but between preparing the house and packing...things just didn't wind up that way. 

Does anyone else clean their house from top to bottom before a big trip?  My mom taught me to do that because, let's face it, what's worse than coming home to a dirty house from a vacation when you're exhausted (but happily so) and all you want to do is crawl in your own bed and sleep off the non-stop fun you've had?  It's so much nicer to come home to a clean house and crawl right into bed, no?

While on our vacation we read two books that I'll be super excited to share with you next week.  I like to read aloud (weird, I know) and so when we were in the car I read aloud to David.  He only likes to read non-fiction and so we had a few selections for the trip and managed to pound out two of them.  Both were great and I'll be sharing reviews soon!

This weekend encompasses four birthdays in our family: my dad (today!), my grandmother, David's mom and my niece (the last 3 all on the same day!).  So, we'll be busy living it up this weekend...and I'll share the recipes I've prepared for these celebrations next week.

Stay with me...we'll be back to our regular programming next week!  I'll leave you with a pic from the car while David and I were on vacation!

Shadow of Night

During my "break" from blogging I read A Discovery of Witches.  This was book one of the All Souls Trilogy and book two has recently been released, Shadow of Night, which I finished today.  First, let me give you a little background from A Discovery of Witches before I delve into Shadow of Night. 

This story revolves around Diana Bishop, a professor, historian and witch...who doesn't really want to be a witch.  She prides herself on not using her magic until one day she is searching for a manuscript in the Oxford library, Ashmole 782.  Little does Diana know that this manuscript has been missing for years and she's the first to lay hands on it since it's disappearance.  After Diana thumbs through the bewitched text, she banishes it back to the stacks believing she can call it back another day for further research.  However, the next day creatures (specifically daemons, vampires and other witches) are everywhere within the library, fascinated by Diana's every move.  Each is waiting for Diana to request for Ashmole 782 yet again.  The creature that captures Diana's attention the most is Matthew, a geneticist and vampire.

The two butt heads initially, but then develop a friendship...and later, more.  What romantic relationship within a book doesn't start with a little tension?  The rest of the book develops this relationship and their desire to find Ashmole 782 (which Diana can no longer recall from the archives...it's lost yet again). 

What is so alluring about Ashmole 782?  This manuscript appears to hold all the answers to why each type of creature exists and their link with each other, humans included.  In a world where witches and daemons are unable to procreate as much and vampires are less able to change humans, this could be a revelation.  And the irony that Matthew is a geneticist as well as Diana's love interest?  How convenient.

At the end of Discovery of Witches, Diana and Matthew are timewalking (one of Diana's witch abilities) back to the late 1500s in order to flee scrutiny and threats in the present.  Because, of course, their love that crosses creature lines is highly frowned upon...among other things.  They will attempt to hone Diana's witch skills (which are laughable) and find the current un-bewitched copy of Ashmole 782.

That is the quick and dirty summary without going into too much detail and ruining the almost 600 page book for you.  I LOVED this book, along with 95% of my book club.

Shadow of Night picks up right where Discovery of Witches stops...no summary, no wrap-up...it just starts right back up.  I did thumb through the last 100 pages of Discovery of Witches in preparation since Nicole had warned of this abrupt beginning.  I think that helped a little, but for the first 100 pages of Shadow of Night I was still trying to catch up and remember all the specifics of the previous book.  Really and truly, when the third book comes out, I will just start right back at the very beginning and reading all 1,500+ pages right through.  Because these are books that I really have enjoyed and will be happy to reread.

Shadow of Night is the true definition of the middle book in a trilogy.  It does precisely what you think it's going to do, with some great twists and turns throughout.  You know that Diana is here to really develop her witchy skills (and she does) and find the current copy of Ashmole 782 (I won't tell you that one ::wink wink::). 

What do I think the real premise of book two is?  Matthew.  You learn so much about his character and what makes him who he is.  Oh yea, and his relationship with Diana does take that next logical step (or two).  There are a number of from-real-life cameos, obviously fictitious in storyline, but entertaining nonetheless.  At the end of this book, the two are headed back to present day after determining that they're ready. 

Obviously, the final book will involve them wrapping up the drama that unfolded in book one now that they're fully "prepared."  And perhaps having to deal with some drama that was created in book two?  I honestly can't wait to find out when the third book will be released. 

I feel that these books could be appealing to a couple wide arrays of possible readers.  One, are you an adult that loved Twilight, but would like something a bit more...ummm, adult?  This is the ticket.  Two, do you like reading the occasional fantasy novel, but detested how juvenile Twilight was and want some more complex?  This is the ticket.  These books look at fantastical creatures unlike any book I've read before, in that the creatures are actually trying to figure out how and why they're here. 

Have I mentioned that the movie rights have been purchased for this trilogy?  Can we say, "Yay!" and clap our hands?  I think so!

High Society - The Life of Grace Kelly

 

I recently finished High Society - The Life of Grace Kelly.  I guess I've been on a bit of a biography kick since I recently read one on Marilyn Monroe as well.  What's funny about the two reads is that these two women were the antithesis of each other; Marilyn Monroe was the sexy, alluring sex kitten and Grace Kelly was the down-home, girl-next-door type.  The two were actresses in overlapping time periods, but never really were what some might call competition because of their separate charisma-ta.  Unfortunately, the one thing the two hold in common is the fact that they both died tragically before their time.

I really didn't know a lot about Grace Kelly before I picked up this (audio)book.  To sum up my complete knowledge: I knew she was a very beautiful and popular actress in the 1950s, that she became the Princess of Monaco through marriage and that she died in a very nasty car accident on a winding road in Monaco.  That's it.  Needless to say, this book taught me a lot about the actress.

Some interesting facts that I learned include:

• She was a devout Catholic.
• She was never her father's favorite child simply because she was not athletic.  He also thought his older daughter, Margaret, was prettier than Grace.
• Her father, John "Jack" Kelly, was an Olympic gold-medal winner.
• She was Alfred Hitchcock's favorite actress and the movie Vertigo captures Hitchcock's obsession with a storyline that stems from Hitchcock always trying to model future actresses after Kelly.
• Grace and Rainier had two weddings (one civil and one religious).
• Her car accident was the result of Kelly experiencing a blood clot in her brain (stroke) that probably would have eventually killed her anyway without the added drama of a car accident.  Prior to this accident, Grace had been experiencing severe headaches (possibly migraines).

I really enjoyed this book and learning about Grace Kelly.  However, there were times when the author describes long dialogue plots about the movies Grace was in.  I was more interested in Grace's back story and what her real life was about.  While it was nice getting a little movie plot summary here and there, I just felt he went a little long in his descriptions. 

With that being said, I am more interested in seeing her movies that I haven't watched before.  I just love old movies, even if the special effects are bad and the actors tend to overact.  Plus, you know they're not photo-shopped, so the women really are that pretty and the men really are that dashing.  I definitely recommend this book and will leave you with a gorgeous picture of Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly Grimaldi.

Witches' Fingers

I pinned this recipe the other day on Pinterest and didn't realize that's what it's actually called, witches' fingers. 

Source: foodgawker.com via Crystal on Pinterest

I just thought they looked good...so I decided to try them out.  It wasn't until I clicked on the blog post via Pinterest to see if there were any special instructions on how to construct these little guys that I noticed the title.  This name is kind of gross, but when it's near Halloween?  Why not?

I decided to make my own for lunch today.  The original recipe says to toss the avocados in lemon or lime juice and to use salt, pepper and chili powder.  Since I was eating these immediately, I didn't do any of that.  But, if you want to make these for a party or if you're not going to be scarfing them immediately, I suggest you follow her recipe (click here).

I started out by slicing and scooping out my avocado slices.

Then, I ripped some prosciutto slices in half, laid them on the cutting board.  One at a time, I stuffed the avocados slices with goat cheese and placed them on the end of a prosciutto slice.

Roll 'em up and arrange them on a plate.

 

Enjoy!  These were quite delicious.  When you combine the saltiness of the prosciutto, the creaminess of the avocado and the tartness of the cheese...mmmm, divine.  I highly recommend these, but only if you have foodie friends that enjoy this kinda thing.  David would never like this nor would a few of my less-than-adventurous friends I'm thinking of right now.  

I will definitely be making this quick and dirty lunch again...so easy to throw together!  The only thing I would change is the size of the slices of prosciutto.  I'll definitely be ripping/slicing skinnier pieces next time so that the meat goes a little farther and doesn't overwhelm the other two ingredients as much.

Blueberries and Cream Pie

I hope everyone had a fantastic, long Labor Day weekend.  We certainly did, spending time with friends and family.  I wish every weekend included as much fun.

Blueberry season has officially been here.  I was so busy trying to bake and use up all the blueberries we've purchased recently, that I was a bit overwhelmed.  In the midst of all the baking, I was left with a little more than three cups of blueberries.  Hmmm...what to do?  Why not try this recipe I pinned the other day!

Source: gingerbreadbagels.com via Crystal on Pinterest

Sounds like a good idea, right?  So, I set about making said recipe...and David complained a little bit.  Any time I make a pie in this house he always requests his favorite, coconut cream.  I explained to him how we had extra blueberries left over and how I was trying to use them up.  In vain.  He didn't care.  That man can have a one track mind.  Oh well, I promised him a coconut cream pie soon.  And I actually followed through on that promise yesterday...mmmm, can't wait for supper time tonight for another slice.

But, back to this recipe.  First off, I started with my classic pie crust.  If you want a review on how to make it, simply click here.

Next up, I did exactly what the pinned recipe said...except I didn't use sour cream.  I used buttermilk.  I've listed my recipe below, but really that's the only difference (other than pie crust recipes) between mine and the original.  If you would like to view what I've modified from, simply click here.

Blueberries and Cream Pie
adapted from Gingerbread Bagels

Filling
3 cups blueberries
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumb Topping
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg (about 1/16th teaspoon)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and flour. Add in the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Put the blueberries on the bottom of the crust.  I didn't feel like making the crust pretty by adding crinkle edges this time...don't pay attention to that.

Pour the filling over the blueberries.

Now make the crumb topping. Mix together the sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.  Pour the melted unsalted butter into the bowl and mix everything together.  Add in the flour and mix until the ingredients form a crumble topping.

Crumble the crumb topping over the pie.  See, now you can't even tell I didn't crinkle the edges, haha!

Bake the pie at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Let the pie cool before cutting into slices.

Then enjoy!

 

Can someone please tell me the secret to cutting a pretty first slice of pie?  I guess it doesn't matter, since it all goes to the same place anyway...but, I would like that little bit of gratification sometimes.

This pie was really quite good.  David had a really hard time admitting that since he was trying to pout about not getting coconut cream, but he finally did.  I would definitely recommend this recipe and will probably be making it again.  More than likely next year when I have a surplus of blueberries again!