Back in the Day Bakery and my own yummy cookies

Last month my husband and I were fortunate enough to get away after the triplets went back to college.  Of course we went to Myrtle Beach but we also took a side trip to Savannah, GA, a city I have long wanted to see.  It is charming and beautiful.  While I was there I had to visit a bakery I have read about on various blogs.  So, on the way back to MB the hubby and I stopped in for a visit (and some treats too).

It is so very quaint and decorated in wonderful, drool-worthy vintage decor!

Bad picture but I was trying to show you the beautiful chandelier!



Of course we had to sample the goodies...

We ended up with some yummy cupcakes - "old-fashioned" pictured here and a very yummy chocolate!  I meant to take a picture of the ones in the box but well I ate them before I remembered!  We also sampled their banana pudding which was amazing!  I am certainly glad we stopped by, it was worth it.

Now, for my own recently crafted cookies.  The original recipe is found at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen and is one of my favorite blogs!  These are called Triple Peanut butter Cookies and I followed the recipe exactly except....



I used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of the peanut butter M & M's.  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of triple peanut butter but there's just something so alluring about peanut butter and chocolate.  And, I still put in the peanut butter cups!

Just look at these babies!  They are amazing!  Thick, rich, gooey, peanut buttery, chocolately, - what's not to love!  So grab the recipe and get baking!  Oh, and you will need an icey cold glass of milk!

Happy Monday!

Jacalyn

The absolute BEST ice coffee, ever!

So, you all know the Pioneer Woman, right?  Actually I just stumbled upon her blog recently.  If you haven't visited her blog I really encourage you to do so as she has some amazing recipes and other great stories on her site.  If I am not wrong I believe she published a cookbook. 

The reason I ask is because I found the BEST, and I do mean the best, ice coffee recipe on her site.  Check out her recipe here.  I loved her recipe but that is just too much coffee, even for me, so I've tweaked it for my own taste. 

I absolutely adore coffee and most likely consume more than I should.  I always start with a hot cup in the morning, no matter what the temperature is outside.  And, I always enjoy hot coffee after dinner as well.  But, in between it's all ice coffee, baby!  While I am generally a Starbucks girl, I have found that Dunkin Donuts makes a pretty good ice coffee.  I swear, they knew my order the second I pulled up and started to order in the drive through.  While I am digging my own ice coffee, I do miss my friends at DD, ha!

Anyhoo, here's my tweaked recipe of the PW Perfect Ice Coffee Recipe.  This really couldn't be any easier, btw!

Ice Coffee
Yields approximately 1 Gallon

Ingredients:
~16 oz of a rich, flavorful coffee (I of course used Starbucks, which you can find in your grocery store)
~8 Cups of water

Utensils:
~Large pot or container
~Mesh Strainer
~Cheese cloth

Directions:
In your large pot combine the coffee and water, stirring to cover all of the grounds. Cover and let set about 8 hours though I usually like to do it over night.


Once your coffee is ready, strain your coffee into a new container.  Make sure you put cheese cloth or a napkin (which I use with great success!) in the strainer before you begin to ensure no grounds seep through the strainer.  This may take a few minutes but it is well worth the wait.  Now be sure to chill this lovely beverage since it is, well, ice coffee! 

In reading the comments on PW's blog, a seemingly simple yet crucial comment was made.  Make sure you freeze some coffee in ice cube trays so you won't have that dreaded melt, ruining your perfectly created coffee!  Genius, right?

To serve:
Once your coffee is prepared and chilled you are ready to create your very own ice coffee masterpiece.


Here's what I do for my perfect cup - I fill my cup with about 2/3 full of coffee and 1/3 with cream (I use fat free) and add 2 tsp of sugar.  Many times I will also add a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk (also a PW recommendation) and I am in heaven!  Don't forget to mix well and add your coffee ice cubes!  A paper straw adds a nice touch too.

Just think of all you can do with this coffee base. 
-drink it straight up black
-add flavored creamers
-add flavored syrups
-add chocolate or caramel ice cream toppings
-keep it low calorie/low fat by adding artificial sweetener and skim milk
-if decadence is what you're looking for I would suggest adding whole cream
-add whipped topping and drizzle chocolate or caramel on top and don't forget the sprinkles!


Don't forget to make sure you have a "to go" cup as you will not want to part with this as you head out the door!

I would love to hear how you take your ice coffee.  Now go, make, and consume!

Hugs,
Jacalyn

Cool Lemonade for a hot day!

It's hot outside!

Like fry an egg on the sidewalk hot!



Our high the other day was 95 degrees! Now I know for some people that's the norm, maybe even a little cool, ha! But, in these parts that's hot!

Don't get me wrong.

I love it! Yep. L-O-V-E. Don't hate me.

This is why I endure our awful winters.

I love flying out the door with shorts and flip flops. Who needs a winter coat, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, and a remote car starter to warm up the car so my face doesn't freeze.

Nope, not me.

Here's my secret: I. Hate. Winter. I hate snow and cold. If I have to hear “wind chill factor,” “blowing and drifting snow,” or “Winter weather advisory” anytime soon I am going to puke!

Okay so if you read my blog you know my disdain of Winter is not really a secret!

But for the time being I am loving it.

Yep I sweat the second I leave the air conditioned house but that's okay.

I don't have to shovel.
I don't have to search high and low for that missing glove.
I don't have to leave early to clear the snow from my car.
I don't have to leave early because there's snow on the roads and travel will take longer.
I don't have to wear “proper” boots (you know what I mean – the ones without heals- the ugly ones that I swore I would never be caught dead in!).

Nope.

I grab my flip flops and sun glasses and I am out the door!

And

I have a cool beverage.

Like Lemonade.

Is there anything better on a hot day then lemonade? Okay maybe Sweet Tea or Ice Coffee. But Lemonade is really good and I have a recipe to share.

Did you know that Lemonade is super easy to make? You want to give it a try?

Lemonade
Adapted from My Little House Cookbook (I bought this when my children were little so they could cook but I use it still, ha!).
What you'll need:

½ Cup Sugar (or adapted for your taste)
1 Cup hot tap water
½ Cup lemon juice (I used about 4 small lemons but you could use lemon concentrate too)
2 Cups cold water
lemons slices to garnish if desired

Pour the sugar in your serving pitcher. Add the hot water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add your lemon juice and water. Stir and chill until ready to serve. Of course you can add ice and enjoy immediately.


To make it pretty add ice to a tall glass, pour lemonade and garnish with a sliced lemon half. Don't forget to add a pretty paper straw!
Enjoy!
Hugs,

Jacalyn

Laundry Soap Recipe on this fine White Wednesday!


I am sure many of you already know this but for those who don't I wanted to share.  I've read on multiple blogs and in the land of Google that you can make your own laundry detergent which is natural and oh so much cheaper.  I wish I would have done this years ago actually when all the children lived at home, ha!  After searching and searching, I found a recipe I like here - at the Beehive Cottage and I followed her recipe.

What you'll need:

4# Borax
4# Washing Soda
4# Baking Soda
3 Bars of Ivory, Fels Naptha, or Zote Soap

All of these items can be found in the laundry isle at your local grocery store.  Walmart should have everything too.  I used Ivory Soap simply because I couldn't find the others but I did subsequently find  Fels Naptha at Walmart and will most likely use that next time.

All you need to do is grate your soap (Ivory was super easy to grate being it's a soft soap) and mix everything together.  Couldn't be easier!  To laundry your clothes place 2 Tbsps in and you're set!  I like to dissolve mine in hot water first and then add it.  You will not see suds when you wash with this but all is good and everything comes out squeaky clean!

Now in keeping with all natural laundry cleaner, I am now using White Vinegar for my fabric softener.  When I did a post on this I forgot to mention that I use 1/4 cup which I add to my fabric softener dispenser in my washer.  Otherwise, you just add it to the rinse cycle.  Once again, your clothes will not smell like vinegar, I promise!  That come out smelling clean and there is no static cling! 

Also, I have been using the Fels Naptha as a pre-treatment for stains.  If you know me then you know that I am rarely without a cup of coffee in my hand and thus I spill quite often, ha!  I have found that the Fels Naptha works rather well!

I found an awesome 2 gallon apothecary jar at Target.com for a good price.  I also happened to notice them at Walmart too.  Of course I had to "pretty" my jars by making and adding labels from graphics from the Graphics Fairy.  I even made a cute little jar for my clothes pins!

I'm linking up today with Faded Charm for my very first White Wednesday - be sure to stop over and see who else is linking up today!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

It's time for a yummy dinner!

Hello blogging buddies!  I'm still kind of running ragged with my new office change though slowly but surely things are coming together.  The good news is that I am going to the beach next week and I can't wait!  If you've been following me for a while then surely you know by now how much I love the beach!  It's my place to relax and rejuvenate and I really could use that about now.

In the mean time, life goes on.  I actually haven't been cooking too much lately and my lovely daughter had a special request:  macaroni and cheese.  So what's a mother to do?  Yes, of course, whip up a batch.  One of my favorite things to do lately is browse blogs looking for new recipes.  So I thought you might enjoy it as much as we do so I'd like to share the recipe with you.  This was adapted from an old Betty Crocker recipe.

Here's what you'll need.

-an onion

-cheese - I used three kinds, Velveeta, Sharp Cheddar, and Mozzarella

-flour

-milk

-bread crumbs

-bacos

-pasta of your choice - I used penne

Now there's something that you should know.  I don't measure things unless I am baking.  I simply look at a recipe and decide how I want to do it.  I know, risky, but it usually works out, ha!  So, I am going to give you estimates and you can decide how much you want to add.

There's something else you should know.  I forgot to take pictures of the process, ugh!

Put your water on to boil for the pasta and cook as directed while you are preparing the cheese sauce - I used 4 C of pasta.  That way they are both done about the same time.

Begin by dicing your onion into desired amounts.  Add butter to your pan and cook the onion just until softened.  Add about 1/3 to 1/2 C of flour, slowly, until a paste forms.  Gradually add about 1 C of milk, stirring constantly until your mixture boils.  Continue stirring for about one minute longer.  You will have a very nice cream sauce.  Remove from the heat and stir in cheese.  I used the large block of Velveeta Cheese and 1 C each of the other two.  Allow the mixture to melt together to form your cheese sauce. Add Bacos at this time.  Of course you could use actual bacon instead.

Once your pasta is cooked and drained, add together with your cheese sauce and place in a baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs.  Bake at 375 degrees until the top is browned and the mixture is bubbling. 

Now that is super yummy!

Another view, up close!

I would suggest serving this with Roasted Green Beans.  These babies are super easy and oh so good!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

It the Happiest of Pink Saturdays and "Cake Balls"

Welcome to Pink Saturday!  I have a treat for you all this week!  Remember a few posts ago when I told about Bakerella and her fabulous blog?  I absolutely adore her site and threatened to attempt her recipe for cake balls!  Well, I did it!  They were absolutely delicious but not nearly as pretty as I would have like.  But, that just gives me a reason to keep practicing, he, he!   Here's Bakerella's recipe for the cake balls but I will share how I did it too.

The way I figure it, you can pretty much use any combination to create these so I chose what I have on hand:  strawberry cake mix and strawberry frosting.  Of course you can start from scratch too.

 I baked the cake as usual and let it completely cool.  Then I crumbled it up and added the frosting.

Be advised that this is very messy!  I found the easiest thing to do was to just use my hands to mix it all up!  It is a super moist mixture once the frosting is incorporated.  Then roll them into balls, about the size of a quarter.

Put them on a cookie sheet and refrigerate until they are very firm.  I put them in the freezer for a while.  It is really important that they are very cold before you place them in chocolate.

I used baking wafers for the chocolate.  Simply melt them and roll your chilled cake balls, one at a time, until they are completely covered.  Place on wax paper until the chocolate hardens.

There you are!  Very, very simple yet time consuming because of the various steps and wait time.  I do apologize for the icky pictures.  For some reason I just couldn't get good pictures.

What I learned:

~Make sure your cake balls are very cold before covering them in chocolate.
~You can use any flavors you like - imagine the combinations!
~White chocolate would be good too.  You can even color it if you like.
~Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.  It works much better than the microwave.
~Use only a little bit of melted chocolate at a time as it hardens quickly.
~Practice will make them prettier (I hope!).

I would love to hear what combinations you make up!  As a side note I have to tell you that while I was taking pictures of the process my hubby states "oh is that for your Pink Saturday?"  I actually hadn't planned on it and was just going to post this week.  But, they are pink and so I figured great idea!  How cute is that?  Hubby keeping track of my PS!

Be sure to visit Beverly to see all of the great pinks this week.

Happy PS,
Jacalyn

P.S.  I am attempting the cupcake bites this weekend!  I will update you!