"Sweet Treats: Thanksgiving, Ed. 1"

I made some delish desserts for our Thanksgiving dinner, my mom did all the heavy cooking. Anyhoodle, everyone raved about how wonder my goodies were (thanks!).  I love to bake, always have, but even I surprised myself.

I have never done a cooking/baking post before so bare with me.

When I started taking pictures I was just doing it b/c I am a huge dork, then I though "I should blog this stuff!" So here we are. The pics get progressively better, well for a baking blog.

I started my baking for Thanksgiving on Tuesday evening. 

I made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies w.a Glaze:

Ingredients: 

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice, 2 cups (1/2 the bag) semisweet mini chocolate chips, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup butter, softened (not pictured), 1 1/2 cups white sugar, 1 cup (1/2 a can) canned pumpkin puree, 1 egg (not pictured), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended, then slowly add chocolate chips.

Dough should be smooth and slightly orange in color.

 For the Glaze: 

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar (Pictured above)
• 3 tablespoons milk (Not pictured)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (Not pictured)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (above)

Mix all in a small bowl well until med. consistency. 

Spoon dough onto a WELL GREASED cookie sheet. Tip: I use an ice cream scoop. The cookies come out the perfect size.

Bake for 15-17 minutes at 350. 

Glaze them as soon as they come out of the oven, while still hot. Leave on the sheet for 2-3 minutes after glazing. After 2-3 minutes move to cooling racks till glaze is completely "dry" or hardened. 

Yields 3 dozen.

Moving on...

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On Thursday Morning I prepared an Apple Cranberry pie, it was baked during dinner at my moms, so it was warm upon eating. I got this recipe from my dear friends the Nelson's.

Ingredients: 3-4 Granny Smith apples peeled and chopped, 1/2-3/4 cup of cranberries (if fresh, boil til soft/pop... or just throw some frozen ones), 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup sugar

 Topping: 

brown sugar

little less than 1/2 stick of butter (softened)

This is what fresh cranberries look like when they 'pop'. Drain most but not all the water you boiled them in.

 Mix all you ingredients up for the filling, in a large bowl. It may be a tad watery, you can add flour to thicken it up or spoon the filling into the pie shell, leaving some of 'juice' behind.

 The topping: melt your butter and add brown sugar till it "crumbles", there is no exact measurement here, sorry.

I spoon my filling in so its not too watery.

Smooth the topping on. It will be crunchy after baking.

Bake for 45-50 minutes at 375.

Tip: Place a cookie sheet under it as it bakes to save yourself a mess afterwards.

And lastly my favorite and most beautiful...

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Wednesday Night I made a Pumpkin Cheesecake... 

The recipe is from my friend Heather, keep in mind until THIS YEAR I was NOT a fan of pumpkin. I still DO NOT like pumpkin pie. Yuck.

Ingredients: 3 8oz containers of cream cheese (softened), 1 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup (1/2 can) pumpkin puree, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

Mix together well with a mixer in a larger bowl until smooth.

 Ingredients for Graham Cracker Crust: 1 1/2 cups ground up graham crackers, 1/3 cup white sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, melted, a dash of cinnamon (optional).

Mix all together in a small bowl until you no longer see any butter and the crackers are "sticky"

Using your hands take the mix and press firmly into an empty pie pan. Use all of mixture, as to make it even all the way around.

Gently pour the smooth pie mix into your freshly pressed shell.

Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350.

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**On Saturday, I also baked a Banana Nut Bread, but there are no pictures of that b/c It was for my house & this blog was not a planned thing.**

Over all like I said I was so pleased with myself. Baking is euphoria for me. I get into the kitchen, I put my apron on, turn the oven on, turn the radio/dock the iPod & get into my groove. 

I do my best baking while E is either napping or in bed for the night. The cookies & Cheesecake were done after she was in bed for the night (Tues & Weds nights) the AppleCran pie was done Thurs Morn. 

I do like to bake with her awake, too. I like her to "help" pour things into the bowl and "stir" and such. Its good for her to see me in the kitchen, enjoying it. It also such a fun bonding experience for us when she helps. 

My mom got her an apron for Christmas. I am so excited for that!

**What kind of goodies did you have at your Thanksgiving feast? Did you make them? What did you make?

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

hosted my Krystyn

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This was taken on my Besties birthday, we made the 2hr trek for her special day b/c for the last 2 yrs, she's done it for me! We went to a hibachi grill for her birthday dinner, it was good, minus the slight allergic reaction I swore I wouldn't get (but did) to the shrimp & chicken cooked on the same surface. It wasn't too bad, a rash of sorts & really red/swollen eyes for 2 days.

My girl was scared outta her mind, again, like last year but that is to be expected. Over all I think she did well. We had a great time, as always, visiting Aunt "Hayhay". We hope she is having a great time in NJ! 

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

This was taken two weeks ago when my mom stepdad, Hayls & I all took E to see Nickelodeon presents Storytime LIVE! (KaiLan, Backyardagans, Wonder Pets! & Dora) It was a lot of fun & E is STILL talking about the show. So I would say that it was a success.

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

A quick update!!

VBS was amazing! I know I promised an update, but the next 2 wks are going to be C.R.A.Z.Y!- E has pre-Op b/c she has SURGERY to have tubes put in her ears b/c she gets constant ear infections, We found a place to live and we have all the fun stuff to do for all that (closing/move-in is in 2 wks) & My besties bday is the 19th & as of right now we are going up to see her! yay.

We play outside barefoot, alot. Here is a pic of our feet. xo

I will be in & out in the next 2 wks, bare with me please!

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

hosted by Krystyn

While Visiting Hayls in a few weeks back I bought E a little plastic bowling set ($4 can't beat it). My parents are in a league & thought they would get a kick out of it. Here we are "bowling" in Aunt HayHay's Kitchen area. E preferred to throw the bowling balls & pins then actually play but thats what having a MAGICAL SUMMER & being 2 is ALL about.  

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Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.
xo-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

hosted by Krystyn

Last weekend E & I went to visit my bestfriend, E's godmother, Hayls. 

We had a BLAST. 

E slept in a big-girl bed [more on that tomorrow]

We went swimming

To the movies (despicable me; which is now her fav movie- ah to be 2 again)

 We did some shopping & I found out that one of the local malls had a badass, off track, train; with it being so HOT out in FL we opted out of the playground and opted for the train. E has a LOVE for trains. She had a BLAST! (and I really enjoyed seeing her have so much fun)  

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I can't believe that JULY is almost over! OMG where is 2010 going???

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

hosted by Krystyn

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I think I birthed a fish, not a child. She would rather swim be in the water then on dry ground & I LOVE IT. This was taken on 7/03 while we were playing in the pool before her nap, great way to get her to take a good long nap. 

SN: I have been in Jax, FL since Friday [late] afternoon & Miss HayleyK has been taking tons of pics for E's THIRD, yes I said THIRD scrapbook (The first 2 will be shown later this week!) So I have tons of M&M pics! Next week will be fun.

{Photo/Credit}

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Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy & Me"

Welcome to Mommy & Me Monday hosted my Krystyn.

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E has been in swim lessons since she was about 16mons old. We were in refreshers the last two weeks; Just to "refresh" her memory since she hadn't been in the water since NOV09. This is us on her last day swimming from Mrs. Susan to me. She did stellar. 

I was so impressed that after only two weeks how quickly she picked it [back] up and so was Mrs. Susan (on the far right).  Now, she is so confident in her skills, that she will jump right in the pool and swim right over to you. We have to be TRIPLE careful now that the babygate around the pool is ALWAYS locked now & never take our eyes off her for one second. I am so proud that my 2y/o knows how to swim, unassisted.  It definitely makes summer that much more Magical.

*Swim lessons were gifted to us by Nana&Papa (my mom & stepdad) b/c they live on a lake & have a pool. Highly recommend to ANYONE with a little one. 

{Photo/Credit}

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Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Mommy and Me"

This is different this my usual "Not Me Monday" but I did steal get the idea from Hailey over @ Be Serious (which is where I got the idea for "NMM")... who stole get the idea from Krystyn.

Enjoy this... I will be alternating this & "Not Me Monday" Gotta have some variety!



Welcome to Mommy & Me Monday hosted by Krystyn. Here is what Mommy & Me Monday is all about...

Krystyn writes... "So, I am starting up a “Mommy and Me Monday.” I am challenging you to get at least a picture of yourself with you child, or children once a week. Then, on Mondays, you post that “Mommy and Me” picture with or without a story or fun anecdote about you and that child (not necessarily relating to the picture, just about you and the subject of that picture)."


E & I after opening her AWESOME presents at her 2nd bday party, Saturday, April 3, 2010.


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I have a lot going on with school this week so I might be in & out-- But that doesn't mean I don't love all of you & that the E Birthday post isn't coming b/c IT IS!! PROMISE!!

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli

"Not Mommy & Me Monday"

So today, as my "first day back" I decided to mix Not Me Monday & Mommy & Me Monday-- Thanks again to Hailey over @ Be Serious (which is where I got the idea for "NMM") for letting me steal borrow the idea ... She stole got the idea from Krystyn.

Enjoy...

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Mommy & Me Monday hosted by Krystyn. Here is what Mommy & Me Monday is all about...

Krystyn writes... "So, I am starting up a “Mommy and Me Monday.” I am challenging you to get at least a picture of yourself with you child, or children once a week. Then, on Mondays, you post that “Mommy and Me” picture with or without a story or fun anecdote about you and that child (not necessarily relating to the picture, just about you and the subject of that picture)."



Toddler giggles & snuggles! The best come from my twinniekin! Love her!

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NMM:

"Not Me Monday"



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. You can also check out Hailey @ Be Serious & see what she has not been up too.

-I did not almost miss my plane back to PA b/c OIA and all of its employee's are incompetent (I was there 2hrs before) and frantically search my purse for happy pills only to realize I left them in PA... THAT WAS not THE LONGEST 2.5 hours of my life!!

-I did not loose sleep for 3 nights STRAIGHT, along side my wonderful fiancee because our baby girl would scream every time she went anywhere close to her crib. I did not have to leave class early Thursday night because she has having a shitfit. It did not help that "mommy was home" I did not TRY EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO MAKE IT BETTER.

- I did not call the Dr. Friday morning in tears because 'SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY DAUGHTER, WHO NORMALLY SLEEPS 12-13 HRS A NIGHT, NOW WON'T EVEN SLEEP 1!!!- PLEASE SEE US!' She did not have a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION- No fever was ever present or ear pulling. I am mother of the freaking year.

-I did not have & still have to FORCE I mean kindly give my unwilling to take oral meds child, ORAL MEDS. Its a battle that I DO NOT WIN every morning. I AM THE MOMMY- SHE IS SICK, THE RX COST ME $50 (w/insurance...) she WILL take it, that is that.

-I did not buy PEEPS and leave them open on the stove so they will get hard/crunchy... the only way to eat a peep I tell ya.

-I did not go tanning- again, even though it is sooooo bad for me. I am NOT in love. Okay I am. I will continue not to go till May. Maybe- I live in the NORTH the sun seems to have forgotten about us... :(

-I did not buy try on a 'romper' @ KOP yesterday and decide... I MUST HAVE ONE this season.


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I am glad to be back.

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli

"Mommy and Me"

[still on "Hiatus" be back later this week... maybe. If not NEXT week for sure!]

This is different this my usual "Not Me Monday" but I did steal get the idea from Hailey over @ Be Serious (which is where I got the idea for "NMM")... who stole get the idea from Krystyn .

Enjoy this... I will be alternating this & "Not Me Monday" Gotta have some variety!

Welcome to Mommy & Me Monday hosted by Krystyn . Here is what Mommy & Me Monday is all about...

Krystyn writes... "So, I am starting up a “Mommy and Me Monday.” I am challenging you to get at least a picture of yourself with you child, or children once a week. Then, on Mondays, you post that “Mommy and Me” picture with or without a story or fun anecdote about you and that child (not necessarily relating to the picture, just about you and the subject of that picture)."


Me & my "twinykin" -- Don't mind my dark circles/ tired look, this is just 12hrs after being on a (veryyyy delayed) plane from PA to FL. We're @ Miss Mal's 3rd bday party!!

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Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli