2007 - Meet My Able Assistant, Charlie

After Charlie and I returned home after his soccer practice, I made Dunkable Brownies. I was going to double the recipe but my Skyco order of American groceries hasn't come yet. I wound up with 46 with walnuts and I made a dozen for Charlie with no nuts. Then I made another batch of Snicker Doodles dough to go in the fridge.

We went to Clemmie's birthday party today (Dec. 15). But before we left I made a batch of Checkerboard Cookies dough (two rectangular "logs"). After we got home from the party, I baked the Checkerboards for a yield of 21 white-and-black cookies and 21 black-and-white cookies. 

Then Charlie helped me make the Snicks. He was so helpful! He rolled the dough into balls; made the cinnamon-sugar mixture; rolled them in the mixture; and removed the baked cookies from the tray. What a helper! We made 8 dozen. 

Afterward, he decided to start his own Cookie Journal! How cute is that? We also made another double batch of Hedgehog Cookies (6 1/2 dozen) and some Kolacky dough to throw in the fridge until tomorrow. 

I was all set to make the dough for the Gingerbread Kids for Charlie's cookie decorating party but I don't have molasses! How could I not?! The gingerbread party is on Monday! I could have a crisis on my hands! I'll have to figure something out tomorrow. 

I finished the day with a batch of Chex Party Mix. I pulled it out of the oven at 12:45 a.m. Good night! 

2007 - Better Late Than Never

I think I set a record for late starts this year. There was no way I could start the day after Thanksgiving, since I had the dinner. I've made a batch of Pumpkin Bread (before Thanksgiving) and I've made two batches of Chex Party Mix, but no cookies until today, Dec. 3.

I had to walk Charlie to school first, before I could start baking. He requested "Tree Cookies" to take to the Pantomime on Thursday, and I need to finish the teachers' cookies for Friday morning.

The snowman cookie jar is filled with Charlie's favorite: Hedgehog Cookies.

Still, I made Hedgehog Cookies first, to fill the Snowman cookie jar. I made a double batch but it sure doesn't look like there will be enough! I wound up with 5 1/2 dozen, so I'll be making more of those for sure. I have only enough chocolate chips for another double batch. I'll have to get more grocery goodies from Skyco next Monday or so. I took four "Hedgehogs" to Charlie to eat on his walk home. I use that recipe every year but I haven't copied it into Our Cookie Journal yet (I still consult "Joy of Cooking"). You'd think I'd have it memorized! I have a compulsive nature to double-check the recipe anyway.

After I knocked out the Hedgehogs, I made a batch of Sugar Cookies from Martha's 2005 Cookie magazine. I'll get those rolled, cut out and baked tomorrow. Charlie I spent the evening making invitations for his Gingerbread Party on Dec. 17. We used a cookie cutter to trace out gingerbread shapes on brown construction paper. He has invited NINE schoolmates! The other parents think I'm crazy but Charlie's really looking forward to it and I know it will be fun.

2006 - Good Things Come in Care Packages

Last week, Charlie and I made a batch of Pumpkin Bread and came up with eight fragrant loaves. As usual, he could hardly wait for them to cool so he could have a slice or three! We nearly ate one loaf in one day. We wrapped up two loaves to give to his teacher and her assistant (Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hunt). And we gave a loaf to our neighbor, Linda. As of today, Nov. 16, we're down to one frozen loaf! We'll have to do another batch this weekend.

Fortunately, I have 10 cans of Libby's pumpkin to tide me over through next year. I usually get it at Waitrose but they've discontinued it this year! However, when I questioned them, I discovered they had a case in the warehouse! So, I snatched up what I needed for bread and pie through next year. Maybe by then Skyco will carry pumpkin and not just pumpkin pie filling (the two are not interchangeable, and I prefer pumpkin, so I can add my own spices). Otherwise, I'll have to get Mom to send a few cans over.

Goodies from a typical care package from Mom.

The curse of the Chex Party Mix continues this year! Aaarrgghh! Since Skyco had only Corn Chex this year, I asked Mom to mail the cereals, Bugles and pretzels about three weeks ago (plus about $75 worth of other goodies). But so far, it hasn't turned up and Parcel Force is saying it's lost. I was SO unhappy and disappointed over it! And since I really must have Chex Mix before Thanksgiving, I asked Mom to resend the cereals and pretzels, and a few other things in the lost box. She mailed it this morning, so maybe I'll have it by Monday or Tuesday. But it won't contain my box of chocolates, or my new jammies, or Charlie's T-shirt, or the treats Mom added to the first one.

WAIT A MINUTE!! Unbelievable! It's HERE!! Mark's here with my package! I gotta call Mom! (And lay out the paper towels for the Chex Mix to cool on). Yay!

2005 - My Cookie Baking Has Gone to Seed

I made two batches of Spicy Pumpkin Seeds today — one for us and one for my next-door neighbors Linda and Neil. Their heating was off. These babies should warm them up! 

Meanwhile, I made two batches (four logs) of Lime Meltaways. They're in the fridge and I'll slice and bake tomorrow. I used paper towel tubes to keep them nice and round. I hope to be able to mail some to my niece Michelle in Florida.

Since I had only one loaf of Pumpkin Bread left, Charlie and I cranked out another batch of seven loaves today. I wanted to finish the Meltaways but I had too much housework to do. I'm trying to get everything nice for Thanksgiving.

Neil's "Aunt" Joy and her husband, Alan, are coming from New York to stay one night on Saturday (a week from today). Hopefully, my Skyco order will come tomorrow or Tuesday, so I can get some Chex Party Mix made before then.

I need a cookie plan too. I should read over Our Cookie Journal and my recipes and decide what I'm going to bake so I can be more efficient and get it all done. And I want to mail some home too. I know I'm making Sugar Cookies. But what else? 

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds — a great snack!

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup raw green pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice; toss to coat. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until puffed and browned, about 10 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool.

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This recipe was shared with the Appetizers edition of the Gallery of Favorites, sponsored by the great gals at Premeditated Leftovers and The 21st Century Housewife.

2001 - Skyco Saves the (Holi)day!

Last night, around 10, I mixed up the dough for the Grammy's Chocolate Cookies. Then this morning, I rolled the dough into balls, rolled them in sanding sugar and baked 6 1/2 dozen aromatic cookies. They are sinfully sweet and chocolate-y. Most are now packed up in the freezer for Christmas and our visit home on Dec. 10.

Then, I decided to make Checkerboard Cookies from Martha Stewart's "Cookies" magazine. They were a lot of work, especially for a measly 4 dozen. However, I really enjoyed making them and the results are spectacular, I think.

They took hours. I had to split the dry dough and knead cocoa into one half (just as Charlie was waking from his nap!). I had to use a ruler to make sure the chocolate and vanilla strips were perfect. Then, I needed a pastry brush - which I didn't have - so Charlie and I went into town to find one. Fat chance! There are a few grocery stores and some specialty shops but nowhere to find kitchen supplies (unless you count Woolworth's). I wound up buying a paintbrush at the chemist's (drug store).

They really were fun to make and I can't wait for Mom and Lisa to see them. They're very delicate too. I might have to make another batch but I don't know when. I'm still working on putting together this issue of The Backstretch Magazine and I have to finish it before I leave for home. So, I might not get to make another entry until I get back here.

Butter comes in 250-gram packages, which is 9 ounces. Most recipes call for 8 ounces! Cookies that are baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, bake on Gas Mark 4 (which is 180 degrees Celsius). Vanilla bottles here say: for each teaspoon that is called for, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon. That's not right! It must be because it's not pure. I can't find pure vanilla here, so I will have to bring a big bottle back.

Shortening (required for my Moravian Cookies) does not exist here. But I found a great online place that sells American groceries. Skyco is owned and operated by Tony and Jean Phillips (and their daughter Justine) in Surrey, and they are so nice and helpful. They started out as a deli, but now import a wide range of American and Canadian products to ex-pats like myself, who are craving a taste of home. In my case - Nestle's Chocolate Chips and Jiff Peanut Butter. And oodles of other things (like Brown-Sugar Pop-Tarts and Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn and Heinz Hamburger Dill slices!). I'm ecstatic to be able to source ingredients (and goodies) here. Hallelujah!