Wednesday,Thursday happy days

On Wednesday, Daniel and I travelled down to Russellville to visit with my Mom for a little while. She has been working at her cousin Ruth's cake shop during the Christmas cookie rush. They had had worse ice than we had here, and had missed working the day before, so were a full day behind on their cookie making.

Dan and I got to help. Dan bagged large individual sugar cookies, and cut lengths of ribbon while I used the ribbon to tie the bags closed. Mom and I enjoyed getting to visit, even though our hands were busy while we talked.

(Sam and Ben stayed home.)

Ruth gave us a lot of cookie cutters, and some candy flavorings that we had planned to buy.

On our way home, we stopped in at A-Z Gifts. I really didn't find a lot that I couldn't live without, but did get a few things. I was close to buying myself yet another cast iron skillet... this one was a good 6 " deep. But I resisted. After all, I do have a good 50 lbs of cast iron cookware already.
It was dark-thirty when we got home... Mr C arriving almost half an hour before we did. Benny had made some of his favorite stir-fry, and "very-yucky" (Teriyaki) noodles. (One of the kids misunderstood "teriyaki" noodles when they were younger, and their term stuck). I sure miss Ben being here to cook, LOL.

This morning, I was up at a quarter to light, and out the door for the fasting blood work at the doctors office. My appointment for Friday was rescheduled to today at 11:15. So I just hung around in town, killing some time at WalMart, Dollar Tree, and Atwoods.
I got ingredients to put everyone I know into sugar comas.
I found some home school helper charts at Dollar Tree. (The twins were thrilled. THRILLED I tell you!)

The Doc said that my liver enzymes are still elevated, but not as high as they were. I have lost another lb. ! He gave me the option of a referral to a liver specialist, or keeping an eye on the enzymes by going back in 3 month. (I chose the latter). He said if my endoscopy on the 30th goes well, he won't need to see me until after I have the liver enzyme tests repeated.

So once I got home, I started in on the sugar boiling frenzy. I have made two batches of microwave peanut brittle. I have a start on the chocolate cream cheese cookie balls. I want to get some pralines done, maybe another attempt at divinity. Or maybe not. (Ruth did give me a candy thermometer!)

Here are the easy-peasy recipes for Microwave peanut brittle (the kind that doesn't stick to your teeth!) and the waaaay to rich for every-day cookie balls.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup sugar

1 cup raw peanuts

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine ingredients in a microwave safe glass bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir initially to due to consistency and stickiness.

Remove from microwave, stir thoroughly, and cook another 3 minutes.

ADD: 1 tablespoon butter (or margarine) and microwave another 2 minutes.

Remove and add 1 tsp of vanilla and1 tsp of baking soda.

Whip quickly into a light and airy mixture and pour immediately onto a greased pan. Spread out into a thin layer. Allow to cool. Break into pieces.

Place the glass bowl immediately into hot water, and allow to sit, and the clean-up will be a breeze.

Rich Cookie Balls

2/3 regular sized package of Oreo Cookies

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened

1 (12 oz) package of dark chocolate chips

1/2" square of (gulf wax) paraffin

Put the Oreo cookies and softened cream cheese into the food processor and combine into a sticky glop. Form into approx. 1" balls. Place on a freezer safe plate or pan. Place the formed balls into the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm.

Melt the paraffin and the dark chocolate chips together. Using a toothpick, dip the firmed balls into the melted chocolate .

Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

These are VERY rich, and excellent party fare!

Try them with the mint Oreos and melted Andes chips!