Saturday, April 30, 2011

Productive Saturday



It has been a productive day so far. David got a new iPhone, which means I want his old phone. I found some information on the web on how the transfer my number, but I need a billing password and David has that.

I also had some question on how to transfer music and app information to the new iPhone, so I was on the phone with tech support. While I had them on the phone I asked if it was possible to restore some purchased music I had lost. They were helpful and I am hopeful to get my music back.

I also had to talk to Sirius Satellite Radio because the radio in my car lost the channels, so I got that restored. I also found that there is going to be a change in the channel numbers in May.

Pics I have up are a result of me playing with some iTouch apps. I recently downloaded a finger painting app.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

iPhone

David is upgrading to an iPhone, and I am a little bit jealous. However I am happy with my iTouch.

I wonder if I can get his old phone.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Another Recipe To Try


Paradise Bars

adapted from the San Diego bakery Bread & Cie

Crust

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1-1/2 cups (6.4 ounces) flour

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer,
cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the flour and mix
well.

3. Place the mixture in a parchment-lined 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan, pressing
the mixture firmly onto the base of the pan to form a packed, even layer.

4. Bake the crust until lightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside until
cool.

Filling and assembly

2 cups light brown sugar

2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs

1/3 cup (1.4 ounces) flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes

2 cups pecan pieces

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, vanilla and eggs well. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine
the flour mixture with the egg mixture until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in
the coconut and pecan pieces.

4. Pour the filling over the cooled crust, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake
until set, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool before cutting and serving.

Each of 16 servings: 451 calories; 5 grams protein; 52 grams carbohydrates; 3
grams fiber; 26 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 76 mg. cholesterol; 38 grams
sugar; 136 mg. sodium.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

HGTV 2011 Green Home Giveaway

It is that time again, to try the one in a million shot on winning a brand new home. The HGTV Green home giveaway is in Stapleton, Colorado, near Denver. I did not get a chance yet to look through the home, but there is a distinct Girl's Room and a Boy's room. From the layout, it appears that the girl's room is larger than the boy's room.

You can enter twice a day at HGTV.com and at Front Door.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Nick's "Supernatural" Brownies


Nick's "Supernatural" Brownies

from Saveur magazine.

16 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/4" pieces
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp fine salt
1 cup flour

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with butter and line with
parchment paper; grease paper. Set pan aside.

Pour enough water into a 4-quart saucepan that it reaches a depth of 1". Bring
to a boil; reduce heat to low. Combine butter and chocolate in a medium bowl;
set bowl over saucepan. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 5
minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

Whisk together eggs in a large bowl. Add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and
salt; whisk to combine. Stir in chocolate mixture; fold in flour. Pour batter
into prepared pan; spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center
comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Cut and serve.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Cadbury Creme Egg Car

A very old pic of when I use to be in the Air Force and Stationed in England. This was taken at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in England in the early 90's.


A more modern version of the car is on the web, an example can be found here.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Cream Cheese Cookies W/ Box of Cake Mix


1/4 cup butter
8 oz package cream cheese
1egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Box of yellow or Devils food cake mix

Cream butter & cheese
Blend egg and vanilla
Add cake mix 1/3 at a time, mix well
Chill dough 1/2 hour
Drop scant teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Cream Cheese Cookies

A cream cheese cookie recipe that does not involve a box of cake mix:

Cream Cheese Cookies

Ingredients:
* 3/4 cup butter
* 1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon peel
* 2 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups flour
* 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, finely crushed
Preparation:
Beat butter and cream cheese, Add sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice, and
vanilla. Beat in Flour. Divide dough into two portions. Cover and chill for
30 minutes.


Shape each portion of dough into 8-inch long roll. Combine chopped nuts and
graham cracker crumbs on a large piece of waxed paper. Roll the 2 dough rolls
in this mixture, coating well. Wrap each roll in waxed paper chill for at least
2 hours.


Cut dough into 1/4 in slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 375° 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on racks. Makes about 5 dozen cheesecake
cookies.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Easter is Coming


Just a reminder that Easter is coming. I did not make these eggs, but I am sure I could. These are in display at a doctor's office.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I am Sick

I guess it was only a matter of time before I caught the cold that every one else is experiencing. It could not come at a worse time. I am going to be busy singing starting Saturday and going into Holy Week. I hope that I can manage it.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Rugelach?

This looks like an interesting cookie recipe:

Rugelach

Skill Level: Advanced

Ingredients
* 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
* 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
* 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* COCOA NUT FILLING (recipe follows)
* 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Beat softened butter and cream cheese in large bowl on medium speed of mixer
until blended and smooth. Gradually add flour, beating on low speed until well
blended. Divide dough into 3 equal parts; wrap individually in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or until firm enough to roll.

2. Heat oven to 375°F. On lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough into
9-inch circle (keep remaining dough in refrigerator). Cut circle into 12 wedges.
Place about 1 teaspoon prepared filling at wide end of each wedge; spread about
three-fourths of the way up wedge. Starting at wide end, roll toward the point.
Place cookies, point sides down, about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Brush with melted butter. Stir together sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over
cookies.

3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from cookie sheet to wire
rack. Cool completely. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and filling. 3
dozen cookies.


COCOA NUT FILLING: Stir together 1-1/2 cups ground walnuts, 6 tablespoons sugar
and 3 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa in small bowl; stir in 3 tablespoons milk.
About 1 cup filling.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

More Ubuntu

So I started to download Ubuntu...

A day to download (or more)..Really?

Does my computer suck that much or is this file really that big?

Maybe I will just have the CD mailed to me.

Monday, April 04, 2011

Got To Try This Recipe

Candy Bar Cookies

This is from the Pillsbury website...

~~~~~
Candy Bar Cookies
Prep Time: 1 Hr 15 Min
Total Time:
Makes: 40 cookies

INGREDIENTS

Base

3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all purpose or unbleached flour

Filling

21 caramels, unwrapped
3 tablespoons whipping cream
3 tablespoons margarine or butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Glaze

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon whipping cream
2 teaspoons margarine or butter
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
40 pecan halves (1/2 cup), if desired

DIRECTIONS
* In large bowl, combine all base ingredients except flour; blend well. Lightly
spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour; mix well. If necessary,
cover dough with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.
* Heat oven to 325°F. On well-floured surface, roll out half of dough at a time
into 10x8-inch rectangle. With pastry wheel or knife, cut into 2-inch squares.
Place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
* Bake at 325°F. for 10 to 13 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheets;
place on wire racks. Cool 15 minutes or until completely cooled.
* In medium saucepan, combine caramels, 3 tablespoons whipping cream and 3
tablespoons margarine; cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until caramels
are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup powdered
sugar and chopped pecans. (Add additional whipping cream a few drops at a time,
if needed for desired spreading consistency.) Spread 1 teaspoon warm filling on
each cookie square.
* In small saucepan, combine chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon whipping cream and 2
teaspoons margarine. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate
chips are melted and mixture is smooth. REMOVE FROM HEAT. Stir in 3 tablespoons
powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread glaze evenly over caramel filling
on each cookie. Top each with pecan half. ~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~
Rhonda G in Missouri
"Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life."

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Cookies


GeoTagged, [N43.16772, E89.79114]

I am also making chocolate chip cookies. It is the best cookie from 1935-1940 according to Betty Crocker Cookie Book.

Substrate App


GeoTagged, [N43.16773, E89.79115]

I downloaded a new app for my iTouch. Substrate creates an images forming lines and cracks. It is kind of like a screen saver. I can chose speed, colors, affect the curve, select where to form the cracks and more features I still need to discover.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Banana Bread

I am making the banana bread recipe I posted a few days ago.