Cupid Time ... Heart within a Heart Cookie

While I was at it I thought I'd make some cookies for the boys friends (I'm sure I'll get a nasty gram for making something instead of buying, bring it on .. lol).  I made a version of these cookies with pumpkins before but I wanted to try with hearts.  I did a red and a pink version.  I should have stuck with white and used either or Red OR Pink to make them more dramatic looking but still a fun cookie.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup margarine 1 1/2 cups white sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Cream the margarine and add the sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition.
2.	Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt gradually to the creamed mixture, stirring in by hand. Cover and chill dough overnight.
3.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4.	Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and cut into your favorite shapes. Place cookies onto the prepared baking sheets.
5.	Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes or until cookie has a golden appearance.

First I started with the sugar cookie recipe.  I made tow batches of the dough.  Then First batch I made red with Wilton Icing color.  The Second batch I made pink with Wilton Icing Color. I find this is the best way to color anything from fondant to dough.  

I took my large Heart Cookie Cutter and cut out the cookies.  I then took my smaller heart and cut out the middle of my cookie.  I set these aside the small hearts for the next batch, I then just baked a few of small hearts for Caden's class.  I then rolled out the 2nd color (if I used red for the big heart then pink for the small heart and vice versa) then put the small heart in the big heart (almost like a puzzle piece) and lightly made the two edges stick together.  Bake like normal and rest on a cooling rack or eat right away :).

With my extra dough I made small and large hearts for Caden's Class (his class is much larger then Cole's and I was running out of steam).

Here is Cole's Valentine's all done up:

Caden's Valentine's all done up:

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

OMGosh I'm half way through this week and still have a list to do ...

It's one of those weeks that I've over booked myself yet again. I have one more project to finish for the boys valentine's treats for the class.  My friend's babyshower is on Saturday and I offered to help.  So I have a few things to make, my living room looks like diapers threw up everywhere! LOL

Cookies:

Cake like this to make:

A cross between these two Monkey cupcakes to make:

A form of this monkey diaper cake

Nilla Tiramisu Cookie Balls

Chocolate Stuffed Monkey Bread

AND ... If I get extra time

Diaper Wreath

Wish me luck!!!

And we wrap up Valentine’s Gifts

I had a doctor’s apt Monday after work but the doctor was running 2 HOURS behind so when I got home I didn’t get as much done as I wanted.  I baked Soft Sugar Cookies that I made for Christmas but this time we made hearts.  Then I found best frosting and tinted it red.  Cole was such a good helper.

And I found this really cute A kiss and a Squeeze on Pinterest.  So easy I had the squeeze for Cole’s lunch already made a quick sticker and printed it and stuck it on.  I picked up a few hersey kisses from the bulk section and then done!

Sadly play dough hearts didn’t get done and my woman’s group was cancelled so I didn’t make the Jell-O hearts.  I may make them next week just for the heck of it!  Cole finished up his valentine cards and think he’s actually was nicer then mine!  Yesterdays post showed you how to do those in case you want to make them .

Manic Monday Meals ~ Valentines Ideas

Today is Valentines day did you know that ... lol. I guess if we're like that Geico commercial and living under a rock you wouldn't know what day it was. We usually don't do much between me & Rick but I do for Cole's school. We do actually have a babysitter for tonight but now that I think of it trying to do a late dinner out probably not my best thought. We'll see how that goes.

Here are a few fun things I made :) hope you enjoy!

I made these hearts for Cole's classmates, they turned out so cute!

Thank you to Felicia @ Go Graham Go for this awesome recipe.

Click recipe tab to see the recipe.

Next was some cookie-pops for Cole's Class Room.

Make sure to click the recipe tab to get the recipe or you can click print to print.

My friend loves Tiramisu so I just had to try this one out! AND yummy is the word of the day. This I brought to the Grammy party last night and it was a HUGE HIT!!!!!

Thank you to Mrs. Homemaker for the recipe

Click on Recipe tab to see the recipe.

Happy Valentines Day everyone, hope you and your loved one's enjoy today and every day. Remember to cherish each other and be thankful for every day we have together!

I'm also linking up at my Friend Amy's Round Robin (Click Link Below):

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Valentines Style

Well it was a low key weekend here, Rick had to work both days so we didn't really do much. Sorry today it's a short post, I'm having a killer headache ... ugh! Much Love to you all!

Rick's favorite cookies is anything coconut!

Macaroon Kisses Recipe

Macaroon Kisses Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups flaked coconut, divided
• 48 milk chocolate kisses
• Coarse sugar

• Directions

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in 3 cups coconut. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
  • Roll into 1-in. balls and roll in the remaining coconut. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is softened. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 4 dozen.
  I found this recipe at Winco in the bulk isle when I was looking for coconut (believe me the cheapest way to go). I then found it it on Taste of home so I didn't have to retype it :).

Roses Galore!!!

Red from my Boss

Card attached: Rose are Red, Violets are blue, Carnations are sweet and so are you!

Aren't they the coolest bosses??? LOVE them!!

And Pink from Rick

This is us Grocery Shopping at Winco!

Poor Caden still not feeling up to par, fell asleep in the cart!

And tonight guess what it's Cole's Carnival at School

It was more like an auction but the kids did get their faces painted

Caden ~ Rocket

Cole ~ Fire Works (Like his best friend Tyler)

So I went to the woman's ministry meeting for the year and guess what I did. I signed up for once a month I will be making dinner for the youth group Wednesday nights. So guess what I'm doing tomorrow making spaghetti for 30 YOUTH!!! OMGosh yup I'm going to be cooking it until I die tomorrow! Wish me luck! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Valentines Day Some Recipes and Fun Items!

Usually we're not big on Valentines Day, Rick usually will get a card for me but nothing really big. I thought I would try some recipes out on you that I thought were fun for Valentines Day!

First is a yummy pork that is easy to make for dinner! I'm all about the quick and easy!

Parmesan and Rosemary Crusted Pork Chops

Prep and cook time: 30 minutes

2 Slices of Wheat Toast Torn

1/4 C Parmesan Cheese

2 Tbs Rosemary

coarse salt and pepper to taste

1/4 C Flour

1 Tbs Dijon Mustard

2 Large Eggs, White's Only

6 boneless thin Cut Pork Chops

1 1/2 Tbs Canola Oil

[1] Place bread in a food processor; pulse bread 10 times or until coarse crumbs form. Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, rosemary and salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Place flour in another shallow dish. Combine mustard and egg whites in another shallow dish, stirring with a whisk.

[2] Working with one pork chop at a time, dredge pork in flour, shaking off excess. Dip pork into egg white mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Coat pork completely with breadcrumb mixture. Set aside. Repeat procedure with remaining pork, flour, egg white mixture, and breadcrumb mixture.

[3] Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan, swirling to coat. Add pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through.

ALEXIS NOTES: I love bulk foods and have on hand bread crumbs makes recipes easier! I also used 3 egg whites instead of 2. My pork chops were to thick good idea to trim them, they were on sale the only way to buy them.

Of course what would a post from me be with out dessert? LOL no worries I was good and only tasted but packed up the rest for Cole's Valentines Day Party.

Carol Harper's Valentine Cookies

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. sour cream; optional

Cream butter and sugar; add rest of ingredients. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes.

Icing:

1 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/4 c. butter
Few drops red food coloring

Mix together.

ALEXIS NOTE: I added the sour cream (used fat free), I also used half the flour with white wheat. Learned to make these smaller. They cook fast and you'll get centers not done and the edges crispy and dark brown.

Next is my mom's creation for Cole's Valentines Party. She found these super sized marshmallow, took a little frosting on the bottom and then added some sprinkles. She insert a stick like a popsicle, then wrapped in clear bag with red ribbon. Talk about an awesome inexpensive way to make treats.

Plus I just received my second Cupid Bloggers Swap this one threw The Mommy-Files.

I was so excited when I got the message about my partner! One of my favorite bloggers, she's been with me almost since the very beginning. Kristy @ Momma loves to shop! was my swap partner again, she was my partner for Christmas. She is the most thought and kind friend. She just blew me away again with thoughtful gifts she put together. She's so nice she even put special treats 1 for each of the boys! I just love her, Kristy you're amazing!! You must go check her site out she always finds the best deals and has great stories too. So click the link above or hey look I even put her button you can click on too!

Thank you Kristy we love it all

The boys got to work right away!

And last but not least the girls I think have gotten there packages hopefully by now so I thought I'd post what I sent them! Of course yummy chocolate covered prezels, Strawberry marshmallows, Valentines Cake Mix, Pancake molds, Valentines day Socks, heart icecube trays, a heart sucker and of course my favorite coffee!!

One I put in a heart shaped sandwich cutter which I thought was way cool (we have the dino one). I hope they enjoyed them, I had fun picking out the items!!

OMGosh it's late must go to bed, Caden's coughing, Cole refuses to go to bed and Rick is working late once again! UGH I can't wait for Friday to done and over and I'm going to the gym tomorrow. I took Thursday off, one day!

Please also go check out my amazing poser (we like to post pics of ourselves) and her Round Robin. I hope you enjoy the recipes :), look at me I even went with the theme this time around ... LOL. Hugs, hope you're having a wonderful week.

So what are you doing for Valentines Day? Any special recipes you make? I would love to find out some more!