Maple Scones

Recipe challenge, week twenty-two (which was supposed to be last week)

I don't bake much anymore.  There's a plethora of reasons why and why not.  It probably has to do with the fact that I'm always doing eight things at once so it's really hard to complete a task within a given timeframe.  Baking requires that.  

I honestly have nothing to say about these other than they are good.  I mean, really GOOD.  I made them, ate three, and then took the rest to school and dropped them off in the lounge.  They were gone in an hour.  These scones are both chewy and flaky at the same time.  I don't know how I achieved that but it was pretty remarkable (if I do say so myself).  

Maple Scones

3/4 cup milk (I used unsweetened coconut milk)

1 t. apple cider vinegar

1 egg

1 t. maple extract

2 t. vanilla extract

2 1/4 cup flour (plus more for rolling)

1 T. baking powder

3 T. COLD butter, diced

1 egg, beaten

1 T. sugar

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, vinegar, egg, and extracts. 

In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking powder.  Cut in the butter using a pastry blender, a potato masher, or two forks.  If you feel like getting fancy, you can use a food processor or blender.  You just want the butter to be in tiny chunks, mixed in with the flour. 

Using a wooden spoon, mix the flour/butter into the wet ingredients just until blended.  Don't over mix.  On a floured cutting board, roll it out into a 10 inch circle (a lot like pizza dough).  You want it to be about half an inch thick.  Place it on a greased cookie sheet and slice it into wedges (I use a pizza cutter).  Brush the top with the beaten egg and then sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees with 18-22 minutes until golden brown. Allow it to cool and then drizzle with the glaze. 

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 t. maple extract

1 t. milk (or enough to give it a smooth consistency)

Whisk together the sugar, extract, and milk until very smooth. 

Store these scones, covered, for up to a week.  

Friday 5s.

1.  Today I'm guest-posting for Jane.  She's (hopefully!) made her way to Ft. Carson, Colorado by now.   I'm sharing one of my favorite dinners: Thai Noodles.

2.  I don't make muffins very often, but my mother-in-law gave me this recipe 4 years ago and I make them each fall.  Now my mom makes them too.   They freeze really well and I've also shipped them to
Afghanistan.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

3.  Scott was looking through the camera, saw this failed picture from before the commandant reception last week, and he liked it. I thought the beep had gone off and, obviously, it hadn't yet.

Let me tell you what was happening in this picture.
Him: We're late.
Me: I want a picture like the one in Alaska.
Him: It's hot.
Me: Uh huh. 
Him: Another one?
Me: Documentation!

4.  Perhaps the biggest news of the week (and of the last 4 months) is that I landed a teaching job.  Unbelievable, right?!  I think so. I'm still in shock, to be honest.  And I'll have 22 second-graders come Monday morning, so I've got my work cut out for me.  You guys are so darn supportive. Thank you for all the tweets the other day!  Here goes nothing!

Also happening Monday...
5.  Are you wearing skirts or dresses yet?  Skirtember started earlier this week with the beginning of September.  Our first link-up is on Monday.  See you *there*!

I totally wore a dress yesterday (as well as all the other days this week), but I was so exhausted when I got home...no picture to be had.

And a bonus, because it's too cute not to share.  We were dog-sitting for some friends last weekend.  Their puppy, Duchess, wrote us a thank-you note.  

This is a Pin-worthy idea.

Happy weekend!

Allie @A Day in a Joyful Life: Invitation Ornament

Today, I'm going to look like a real craft blogger.  Because Allie is here with a tutorial.  She labeled stuff for you and everything.   Thank you, Allie!   I'm going to try this with one of our wedding invitations!   (Hot pink will look good on a Christmas tree, right?)

Hey Kristin's kNook readers! I'm Allie, and I blog over at A Day in A Joyful Life. You may know me and my blog from The Great Pumpkin Swap that Kristin and I co-hosted awhile back. Today I'm going to try to prove I'm more than a swapaholic-- I occasionally craft.  Between work and life I barely find time to do crafting, but I do love it.  I put this particular craft together after my own wedding last year because I wanted to commemorate our first Christmas as a married couple. You've probably seen similar ideas floating around the Internet, but I came up with this idea when I saw the clear ball ornaments at Michael's, so I call it my own. It's super easy, and a great idea for a gift for any newlywed couples in your life, or really anyone who had a special occasion involving an invitation! This is my first tutorial, so please be patient with me. A big shout out to my husband for taking the pictures, and a tip to anyone who does a hand-heavy photo shoot: take a few minutes to remove the chipped nail polish before you begin.

Add some solid color paper in there, and any other adornments that suit your fancy-- for this one I punched out some small leaves and tossed them in since this was a fall wedding. Finally, add some ribbon to hang and you have a gorgeous ornament that the happy couple will cherish for many years. 

{I apologize for the semi-blurry pics of the finished product-- my camera skills at their finest, people.}

I hope you find this simple but meaningful little craft useful! Thanks to Kristin for having me on the blog, I hope all of you stop by and see me sometime! Have a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! 

The Life of Clare: Raw Christmas Puddings

Needing a healthy-ish treat for a last minute get-together?  I think you need to try Clare's recipe.  I adore that she calls them "puddings", as I would probably call them "that ball thing of chocolate and nuts".  Let's go with "puddings".

Having tried these, I can personally say that this combination of raw food is delicious (and would be a great pre-workout snack...because I know you're all working out this week, right?).

Thank you, Clare!

When Kristin put it out there that she was looking for guest bloggers for the Christmas season, I jumped at the chance. She was looking for Christmasy themed things and being a food blogger I had to do something food related. Recently I've started getting into raw cooking and looking at the benefits of cacao, coconut oil etc. So I decided to combine my new found love for raw foods, making something similar to the second layer of this raw chocolate slice, and the idea of my mum's mini Christmas puddings. They worked out better than I could have imagined.  

 It's super easy, doesn't taste like you're eating something that's super good for you (but they are), and they've had many stamps of approval.

   

 To the top of some, I added white chocolate, and then mint leaves and red cherries to look like holly. The others I just rolled in coconut.

Raw Cacao Christmas Puddings

Author: The Life of Clare

Serves: 14

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup activated almonds
• 1/2 cup activated walnuts
• 1/4 cup cacaco
• 1/4 cup mixed dried fruit
• 1/8 coconut flakes
• 7 madjool dates

Instructions

1. Add nuts to the food processor and pulse until crushed.
2. Add a mixture of the remaining ingredients to the food processor, until all are used and the ingredients stick together when pinched between your fingers.
3. Roll into small balls (I made about 14).
4. Now you can choose to roll cacao, coconut, or top like a mini pudding.

3.1.09

Have you ever eaten raw foods? What Christmas treats remind you of your childhood?

Holiday Glitter Canvas: Casey

I've got another teacher blog-friend!  Sometimes I wish I could teach with my teacher-blog-friends.  I like them.  Aside from starting off with a completely ridiculous statement, Casey is going to share a fun craft with you.  And by "fun craft" I don't mean that peppermint tray thingy that I saw on Pinterest a few weeks ago and just kinda assumed wouldn't work anyway.   (Try the glitter thing instead.)

Thanks for stopping by, Casey!

I kind of feel like I don't belong here. I mean, Kristin is like the real deal when it comes to blogging. Thank you, Kristin, for letting me guest post for you today.
I'm Casey and you can usually find me over at Everyday Adventures, where I blog about teaching (middle school), my fur babies, crafts and whatever else comes into my head.

You should know one thing about me: I love Christmas. I love everything about it. I love Christmas music. I love eggnog. I love wrapping presents. I love Christmas trees. And I LOVE decorating for Christmas. Usually I wait until we come home from Thanksgiving dinner to start decorating. Usually. This year I started a couple days early. As much as I love decorating for Christmas, I don't love spending tons of money on decorations. Luckily for me, I am a fan of DIY so of course I am a fan of Pinterest. This is a tale of two holiday crafts.

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I am pretty crafty. I can usually look at something and figure out how to create a version of it with what I have. When I came across this pin, and it had the worlds easiest directions with it, I knew I had to try it.

Pinned via here

So cute right? The directions said to unwrap the peppermint and arrange them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Pop them into a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes and viola! You get the cutest tray for a cookie exchange or for appetizers at a holiday party. 

I followed those directions and after 10 minutes, not much had happened. I checked again at the 13 minute mark, and again at 15 minutes. At 17 minutes it started to look like something was going to happen. 2 minutes later I got this:

I believe we can call this a Pinterest Fail.

When it cooled down, it was almost impossible to get off the parchment and when I did free it, it broke into several pieces. Boo.

Don't worry, not all my holiday crafts were disastrous this year. Here is a super easy craft that makes a huge impact on my wall decorations.

Take a blank canvas. Draw on an outline of a shape. (You could print out a template or free hand it. I traced a cereal bowl). Cover shape in glue. My first grade teacher said never make glue soup. Mrs. Rau, you were wrong. This is a time for glue soup. Cover glue with glitter. Let it dry. Overnight. Glue soup takes a long time to dry. I promise.

Even with the "dripping" I still love how it turned out. Once I put it on my mantle (and placed it strategically behind some garland) you can't even tell!

There are a ton of these posted all over blog land right now, and I love seeing how different they all are.

I will leave you with this. I feel it is only fitting since Kristin usually finds the funniest things on the Internet. (I mean, she has like a gift or something)

Pinned

Pinned

(I do love me a GoT reference -Kristin)

From CA to KS: Fudge and funny stuffs.

When I knew I'd need guest-posters, I was quick to hunt down Mallory.  She didn't even have to ask!
She and I have so much in common:  the love of cheap wine, a distaste for all things cold/snow-like, and (by the recipe she shares below) the same taste in dessert.  How did she know I like to make a tray of fudge and gnaw on it straight out of the freezer?  

hello!

I'm Mallory and I blog over at From California To Kansas

And I am so excited to be here at (in?) Kristin's kNook today!

I don't know how I found Kristin's blog (isn't that how it always goes?).

One day, many moons ago...I found this blog that was filled with sarcasm, yummy foods, and a really funny (funny ha ha) outlook on life in Alaska and I was hooked.

I immediately, in proper creeper fashion, read every single post, and made sure to comment on about 10 of the not very most recent posts.

Today, I'm here to entertain you. 

My blog, it's filled with pictures of my dog, the occasional recipe or anecdote about life.
And because Kristin obviously has a winning formula over here, I'm going to share a little food and a few laughs with y'all.

First of all:
This fudge. I'm sure your grandmother, if she's anything like mine, has this ohmygod best fudge ever recipe that is also something along the lines of: use the special copper pot, take it to 167 degrees, not 165, add 3 drops of vanilla, a grain of salt, some special Grandma Magic and voila! Fudge!

I didn't bring you that today because I like you.
No, I brought the ohmygod best fudge ever and shut up it's not that easy recipe.

Here's the Pin I found this on. Follow the directions. No special Grandma Magic needed. 

Source: busycooks.about.com via Mallory on Pinterest

Put in the fridge until it is set.

You're welcome.
P.S. My husband keeps insisting I toss walnuts in there. You try it out, let me know how it is. Maybe I'll humor him one day.

(I love walnuts/pecans in fudge.  Add the walnuts. -Kristin)

On to the funnies, which aren't as good as the fudge, but hey, I can't be fantastic 110% of the time.

I also believe in a good theme. And since Christmas started in August this year (looking at you Walmart and Target), let's just stick with a winter/Christmas theme thing, shall we?

I like this cat. He has personality.

This happens when I'm in a hurry. Lesson: Never go to the grocery store when you really need groceries. Wait until Starvation sets in.

It is irrelevant if Kristin even likes cats, because I'm sure she says this all winter long.

This kills me. It makes me want to hug the sign maker from how many times I have laughed over it.

And finally, just for you Mrs. D:

Kristin, enjoy your vacation!!

I've totally got it handled over here!

Y'all, feel free to visit my little blog. 

Seriously though.

Make the fudge.

Thumbprint Cookies: Bridget from Twinisms

I'm pretty thrilled that Bridget wanted to guest-post for me today.  Her blog has provided me hours of reading entertainment.  Bridget is a fellow Army wife...stationed here in the great state of Alaska.  From reading Twinisms, I've learned that it's okay to drink boxed cheap wine and to someday have twins (my brothers are twins...my days are numbered at this point).

Thanks for stopping by, Bridget!  (And you need to read her review of that show Alaska Army Wives.  She tells it how it is.  I appreciate that in a blogger.)

Thumbprint Cookies

My favorite Christmas cookies are Jam Thumbprints. They are my Dad’s favorite cookie too, which is part of the reason they’re my favorite. I have fond memories of making them and eating them with him. I think he and I were the only ones in the family who liked them. Even now, I make them every year and I’m the only one who eats them. Unless my Dad is visiting, then I have to make sure I get my share!

My recipe is slightly adjusted from Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook, 8th Edition, circa 1996.

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Shortening (I use butter flavor Crisco)

1/4 Cup Stick Butter, softened

1/2 Tsp. Vanilla

1 Large Egg, separated (I usually add an extra egg white for the wash)

1 Cup All Purpose Flour

1/4 Tsp. Salt

1 Cup Pecans, finely chopped

Candied Maraschino Cherries

Directions

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees

2.  Mix brown sugar, shortening, butter, vanilla, and the one egg yolk in a bowl Stir in flour and salt until the dough comes together.

3.  Roll the dough into 1 inch balls. Beat the egg whites slightly. Dip the balls in the egg whites, then roll them in the nuts. (Pause here to recover from the inadvertent humor in that last sentence!)

4.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart.

5.  Press thumb in center of each, making space for the cherries.

6.  Bake about 10 minutes, until lightly brown.

7.  Cool on wire rack for a few minutes, then place the candied cherries in the space made with your thumbprint.

8.  Email me, I’ll send you my address, and you can mail me some cookies.

Just popping in...

...to say that I've missed you all!  I hope you've been checking out the guest-bloggers who've been kind enough to stop by, and I've got some lovely ladies coming up this week too.

Today is Katie from ...for Lauren and Lauren, in case you missed it.
Last week, Dorothy made you some Gingerbread Oreo Truffles and Becky shared a classic Chocolate Chip and PB cookie recipe.   Kate shared her style and then Meg showcased some crafts that even I could do. 
I cannot thank you ladies enough for keeping my blog going while I'm away.  Gracias.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Apparently this is where the world will end later this week.  Super.  (in Belize)

Did I enjoy our vacation?

I enjoyed the weather.  I loved the blissful heat and humidity in the western Caribbean.  I think I uttered the phrase “It’s too hot” twice.  In Honduras, while we were sitting next to the resort pool baking in the sun, and I said it again in Belize at the Mayan ruins where it was particularly humid in the jungle.

Both times, Scott just kind of gave me a “look".

The food?  After I tell you our harrowing tale of adventure concerning the food (food poisoning), you’ll see why we were a little leery of everything edible on that boat.  However, I certainly ate my fill of watermelon.   

This is where I make my money back, Carnival.

By the end of the trip, I found myself craving things I just couldn’t get.  Chips.  Candy.  Good ice cream.  You know… my diet staples.  I almost bought a $6.00 bag of Doritos in Roatan and then decided against it.

The most stylish people on the ship, keeping the plaid alive.

The good news is that, like last year’s vacation, we pulled through.  Food poisoning seems to travel along with us.

Also good news?  We saved a LOT of money on alcohol because it turns out that’s the last thing you want when you’re sick.

And the million dollar question?  Do I miss Alaska yet?  Not even a little bit.  Scott does (which lets you know how crazy he actually is).  I miss my gym routine a little (but I did my weight/ab routines on the boat).  I miss my computer (Scott’s computer is old, but it did the job while we sat in our stateroom and watched movies for 2 days).  I miss….yeah, that’s about it.  

Have you ever been on a cruise?   What’d you think? 

Linking up to YOLO Monday

DIY Heart Sweater: Katie from For Lauren and Lauren

I'm thrilled to have Katie on the blog today.  

I don't even remember how I "met" her, but I love her! (Who but a blogger could utter that phrase??)

She's a bargain shopper, a crafter, and a teacher.  I never miss a post from her!

While I often scoff at "crafts" that require a sewing machine, this adorable sweater is something I may have to attempt.  And, yeah, I'll totally hand-sew it.

I'm so happy to be sharing on Kristin's blog today.  My name is Katie and I blog at for Lauren and Lauren. Kristin in one of the first bloggers I've met and I'm so glad I did!  I may not be envious of her living in Alaska but am envious of the delicious desserts she is always making. I've stolen many recipes from her!  

I started my blog for my sister Lauren and sister-in-law Lauren because they convinced me to share my daily outfits with them.  Now my blog has become a place to not only share my cheap clothing finds, but also projects I make, recipes I attempt and what is happening in my life.  

Speaking of finding cheap clothing, I rarely spend a lot of money on one clothing item.  And when I saw those adorable heart sweaters from J.Crew last year I knew I would never spend $80 on one, so I decided to make my own.  It was super easy and cost me less than $8. 

I found this grey sweater for $7 and a black piece of felt for $0.50.  

I cut a heart out of paper first and then out of the black felt.  

Then I pinned the felt onto the sweater. 

(I tried it on first to make sure that is where I wanted it.) 

I used my sewing machine to sew it on. 

(I know Kristin says she doesn't sew and if you don't either you could definitely hand sew it on!)

And that is it! 

So happy to have spent less than $8 rather than $80!

Feel free to come visit me. I LOVE meeting new bloggers. 

Thanks, Kristin, for having me on your blog!

PB and Chocolate Cookies: Rebeckann

Today, I've got Becky sharing a classic cookie recipe.  

There are few things I enjoy more than a good dozen or so chocolate chip cookies.  

I met Becky a few years ago when I was a substitute teacher and I am so glad I got to work with teachers like her.  I really believe that I became the teacher I am today because of those I spent time working with/for in Pennsylvania.  I miss that place. *tear*

Now.  Go make some cookies.

Hi!  My name is Becky, and I blog as Rebeckann.  I’m from Pennsylvania, and live very close to Kristin’s hometown.  I teach first grade at her alma mater, and I’ve actually had the privilege of meeting Kristin in person.  The unfortunate fact about this is that I didn’t get to know her very well at the time!  I’m so glad that blogging has allowed me to learn more about her, AND that she’s allowing me to write a guest post for her!

This is me with my husband, Scott, at Medieval Times in Dallas, Texas.  We went there over the summer to visit friends.  Kristin and I happen to have a lot in common, as you can see!  We’re from the same area, our husbands have the same name, and we apparently both enjoy food—especially desserts, blogging, and sarcasm. (And we both chose the same thrilling profession -Kristin:)

Since sharing recipes is something we both do on our blogs, I decided that’s what I’d write for you today.  I’m definitely not as creative as Kristin.  She brilliantly comes up with her own recipes!  My approach to blogging about cooking is sharing my experiences with the things I try.  They come from a variety of sources.  This one comes directly from the back of a package of chocolate and peanut butter chips…just in time for the Holidays!

Original Nestlé Toll House Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsel Cookies

(Could that title be any longer….?)

Ingredients

 -2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

 -1 tsp. baking soda

 -1 tsp. salt

 -1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (We had just started getting dairy products delivered from a local farm. I used real sticks of butter in these instead of my usual Country Crock.)

 -3/4 cup granulated sugar

 -3/4 cup packed brown sugar

 -1 tsp. vanilla extract

 -2 large eggs

 -1 bag peanut butter & milk chocolate chips

 -1 cup chopped nuts (optional- I didn’t have any nuts & didn’t want to go to the store.)

1. Preheat oven to 375*.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.

3. Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy.

4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one is added.

5. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

6. Stir in morsels.

7. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

8. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

You can view the original post (with step-by-step pictures) here.

Thanks for reading my post today, and thanks again, Kristin, for letting me guest post for you! J