Cookie Bake

Only three more days until Christmas Eve and I am ahead of schedule. Last night and tonight, I have baked several cookies:

Gingerbread Men and Stars.



Cardamom Spice.



Sugar Cookies.



Chewy Chocolate Ginger.



Almond Cookies.



I'll provide the recipe info later, when I have a moment to breathe.

Why do I do this to myself every year?



Tomorrow night, I will finish baking the almond cookies, prepare and bake chocolate chip cookies, and bake the sweet cardamom crackers. And if I have time and I am not too tired, I will start decorating the sugar cookies.

Floury hugs and kisses,
SC
xoxo

Happy Birthday, Nico!

This weekend, we celebrated my nephew, Nicolas' 3rd birthday. He loves anything that has to do with tools and gardening so my sister made a giant gingerbread construction worker to top his chocolate birthday cake, tools and all. Nico was so excited about his cake. It was yummy too.



I made him this little sock dog (think sock monkey). I got the pattern from an old Martha Steward magazine but if you are interested in making one, I found the instructions on her website here. It is very easy to make. Isn't he cute?



Nico approves! Woof!



I started the preparation of my cookie doughs which I will start baking tonight. I usually don't decorate my gingerbread or sugar cookies because I always run out of time but this time, I am really going to make an effort. Stay tuned.

When I was at my sister's, I realized that I had not taking pictures of Viviana's doll. The pattern is an Alicia Paulson pattern from her book, Stitched in Time and it is the inspiration behind the army dude.





I also made her this embroidered pillow for her birthday which I had also forgotten to photograph then. So here you go. This design was my own. One side is for rainy days and the other side is for sunny days. Lately, it's been on the rainy side.





On Sunday, I made a little crochet car for Alec. He loves cars. I also got the pattern from the same Martha Stewart magazine I got the sock dog pattern but I couldn't find it on her website. Basically, the body is a cube made from six 4" squares and the cab is made from eight 2" squares. All crocheted in a single crochet pattern. The pattern calls for foam inserts but I just used stuffing for stuffed animals and I improvised on the tires because by the time I got to the tires, I was tired and didn't want to make stuffed tires so I just tacked on the tires in a single layer. I don't think Alec will mind.

Me and Alec. Love.

So this week is the last week before Christmas and as usual, I will be spending my evenings baking cookies. Wish me luck. Cookies are always so temperamental.

A Concert and Lots of Cookies

This weekend, Mateo's school band performed in their Annual Winter Concert. As always, their band teacher did an excellent job in organizing it. Mateo is really enjoying being part of it. Here he is with his band buddies. Don't they look handsome?



After the concert, Mateo went to Grandma's house and I was whisked away for a triple date. We met with Iliana and Hector and Julissa and David to watch The Tourist. I'm sad to say that I was a bit disappointed in the movie. I found it a bit flat, lacking action and suspense. And Johnny, oh Johnny. I hope that he has not lost his ability to play an actual human. With that said, I'll watch it again when it comes out on DVD. I just have to support my guy and feed the obsession.

Here we are being silly at Brea Birch Street after the movie.








After our date, my dear friend, Julissa ended up with appendicitis and had to have an appendectomy. The movie was not that bad. Poor friend. Take care and hope you feel better soon!

I visited my mom and checked out all of her lovely Christmas decorations. I took lots of pictures but, of course, crappy camera. Need I say more? My mom completely and utterly transforms her entire house into a Christmas wonderland. She leaves no room behind, no corner untouched. Everywhere you look, it's Christmas. Here are some of the better pictures but they do not do her abilities justice.

Remember the Thanksgiving wreath I made for my door?
She made her own Christmas version for her door. Great job, Mom!

She made this cute topiary out of styrofoam spheres wrapped in yarn.
Too cute!

Her little Christmas Village.
She bought the same little village houses I got at Target last year.

Sidebar: I do hope that Mr. Casillas is reading this blog and getting the hint. If you are reading this blog, honey, a camera, a good camera for Christmas would be nice!

Paulina, my cousin, Rebecca's daughter, had a cookie exchange party. It was lovely to get the kids together and enjoy each other and the food. My cookies, did not turn out too well, though. I attempted to make cookie pops (cookies on a stick to resemble lollipops). Since I am a working woman now, I decided to cut corners and use store bought sugar cookie dough and mix in a few favoring and coloring ingredients to it. I don't know if it was the dough, or the oven temperature, or maybe I rolled them out too thin, but they spread too thinly and ran into each other in the oven. Then, the skewer sticks that I used did not bake in well enough and they started to separate from the cookie. I ended up taking the skewers out and taking them as they were. All in all, they tasted fine. Fine enough to win second place. Cari's cookies, of course won First place. Congratulations, Cari!

The First Prize winner and the Judge.

The kids: Paulo, Mateo, Alec, Andy
Ricardo, Luc, Viviana, Paulina, Joaquin, Rebecca

Prior to her cookie party, Paulina performed in the Nutcracker Ballet
for her ballet studio. Unfortunately, we did not make it to her performance but
I hear it got rave reviews. Thata girl, Pauli!

Best of everything!
SC
xoxo

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This weekend, the weather was so chilly, it actually felt like Christmastime. And the perfect time to get the tree and haul out the decorations.

So we headed over to the forest (Home Depot) to pick out the best tree.









We found it! A beautiful, perfect, 7-foot Noble Fir.



Ooh scary...

We had the logger (Home Depot guy) chop it down (not really) for us and we brought it home to decorate. When we got home Mr. Casillas pointed out the leaves on the ground which made me look up at the trees and I noticed how beautiful they were in their golden and fiery orange splendor. You caught that huh? He says look down and I look up. That's how we roll. Anyway, since we are in the burbs and sometimes it's difficult to feel at one with nature, I am so grateful that my neighbor, Rhoda, planted these trees 50 years ago when our street was only half the size of what it is today. Thanks to her, we have a beautiful Maple Tree-lined street (well only half way down anyway).

So now all our decorations (inside the house) are up. Thank goodness my mom came over to help! Mr. Casillas still has to get around to putting up the lights outside but at least the inside is done and that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Since Mateo was a baby, I have been putting a tree in his room. Here is the tree onhis wall:

And here is his real little tree. Every year we buy him an ornament to put in his tree. We try to get him something that is relevant and meaningful to whatever stage in life he is in or what ever he is digging that year. One year, at our vacation in Puerto Vallarta, we got him a Huichol egg. Hopefully, he'll remember what a wonderful vacation that was. Last year Horacio got him a Yorkie figurine (not knowing that would be Penny's last Christmas). This year I got him a glass trumpet to mark his increased appreciation for music and playing an instrument. His tree is also the catch-all tree where all the unwanted and weird ornaments go. Hee! He is so sweet. He always acts as though he really loves his ornaments. I think he does but I think he used to appreciate them more when he was a little boy and I hope that some day when he has his own little family, he will put them up on their tree and remember how much he is loved and how much we want to give him the best life we can.

Last year after Christmas, I got these little village houses on sale at Target. Too bad they don't have them again this year. Oh, except for the little church on the far left. We got that one from our dear neighbor, Tiny who passed away a few years ago. He made that little church and it is just so special. I put them on the buffet in the dining room. Don't they look sweet? I wish you could see how beautiful they look in person.

Okay, guys. Sorry for the blurry picture of our tree. As you well know, I don't really have a good camera and I couldn't get a nice picture of the tree. I tried it with lights on, then with the lights off, then with the flash on, then with the flash off. I give up. But you get the idea.

Anyway, several years ago, they had Shabby Chic ornaments at Target and I scored some at their after Christmas sale. These glittered sparrows were part of my loot

and my tree topper. Again, and I don't know why Target does this, they have something really great and beautiful and then they stop carrying it. Annoy!

This is my kitchen tree. This one has a candy-ish theme. At least the colors are candy-like. This year, my mom made a gum drop garland for it that just ties it all together.



It's such hard work to put up all of the decorations but in the end, it is so worth it.

I hope you have your decorations up too. Enjoy them and remember that Christmas is not just about decorating your house but it is also about decorating your spirit in the true meaning of the season.

Good tidings!

SC
xoxo

Soups On!

In this corner, we have Legumes...


...and in this corner, we have the defending champion, Chicken Stock!

I start work tomorrow. In preparation for work-life, I am making stock and legumes tonight. I am making a chicken stock, white beans, lentils, and garbanzos. The chicken soup will give me a base for other soups that I can make during the week and the legumes will keep in my refrigerator or freezer until I need them. This way, after a hard day's work, I can whip up a soup or make something with the legumes like, 3 bean salad or whatever, cook up a protein and veggies and dinner is served in no time.

For the chicken stock, I am combining my mom's chicken soup and Nadia G's liquid gold chicken broth recipes:
2 TBS grape seed oil
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1/2 to 1 whole chicken, cut up
1 sprig epazote
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh oregano
1 sprig fresh thyme
1. sprig tarragon
celery leaves from 1 stalk
salt & pepper to taste

1. Heat grape seed oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes. Add onion and saute for another 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery and saute for another minute or so. Add the chicken pieces and pour water over it until it covers the chicken (about 8 cups).
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Tie the epazote, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, tarragon, and celery leaves and add to the stock.
4. Partially cover and simmer on low for about 2 hours.
5. When the stalk has been simmering for about 2 hours add salt and pepper, remove from heat. 6. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside.
7.. Strain the stalk into another pot over a strainer lined with a cheese cloth.
8. You can use this stalk as a base for soups.


The legumes are basically done the same way:
1. Rinse legumes in strainer and pick out any foreign bits or broken or shriveled pieces.
2. Place them in a pot and cover with water.
3. Soak for at least 2 hours.
4. Drain and rinse again and place back in pot
5. Add 4 to 6 water in each pot.
6. Add about 3 whole garlic cloves (no need to peel them because you are going to take these out later) and about 1/2 an onion.
7. Add a large pinch of salt and pepper.
8. Bring to a boil.
9. Add a bouquet of whatever fresh herbs you have on hand. I used thyme, oregano, epazote, and a bay leaf.
10. Simmer on low, partially covered for about 2 hours.

Note 1: You can drain the garbanzo beans and refrigerate to be used in other dishes or salads.
Note 2: I like to leave the beans in their soup form and eat them as a soup the day I make them. Then refrigerate and use a drained portion in salads.
Note 3: To re-fry the white beans I put some of the beans and their soup in a large skillet. Add a tablespoon of grape seed oil and cook over medium to low heat. Once they are bubbling, I mash them and let them cook down some more.

Enjoy!

XOXO
sc

Another Catch Up Entry

Hi there. I know I said that I would not do this again but here we are. November is just about over and I think I only did one entry the entire month! Not that there have not been any exciting happenings to blog about. I guess I just needed a little break. So let's catch up.

Weekday visit by Nico and Ethan

Nico (our godson) and his brother, Ethan, visited us the other night because their mommy, Julissa, had to attend parent-teacher conferences. We were so glad to have them over since, lately, it has been really hard for us to get together. Nico and I baked chocolate chip cookies (from a package). He was really excited to wear one of Mateo's aprons and help out. However, he and Ethan waited until the cookies were done to inform us that they didn't like chocolate chip cookies. Say what? I thought every kid liked them. Not these kids. Well, more for us. They snacked on Goldfish instead.

Scouting for Food


Mateo's Boy Scout troop participated in the annual Scouting For Food. All of the food that is collected by our district scouts was delivered to a site and our troop was in charge of sorting it and boxing it up before it got delivered to a charity. Way to go Boy Scouts!

Nutella Crescent Rolls




Yummy! I saw this recipe on a blog the other day and had to try it. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the blog that I saw it in to give proper credit, sorry! Anyway, these treats are so easy and yummy, you have to try them:
Unroll dough
Spread with Nutella, crushed hazelnuts (I used pecans) & raw sugar
Roll back into crescent shapes
Place on cookie sheet & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes
Enjoy!
*Note: the first batch (pictured) came out a little pale so I brushed a little evaporated milk to the tops of the second batch before baking and those came out golden & much prettier.

Thanksgiving Day! Yay!

There's H, hamming it up (he's serving the ham)

For Thanksgiving, we went to Lorena's and Ricky's house. We had a wonderful time and the food was delicious. We are so blessed to have so many great cooks in our family! I am still getting my feet wet with the cooking but I am really enjoying it.

Piro, Mia and Mateo

I cooked (warmed) a ham and made Ina's pumpkin cupcakes with maple-cream cheese frosting! Delicioso!

The ham was a ready-made ham that just needed to be warmed up. Usually, I will add a twist to the glaze but this year, I just made it straight out of the packet. So no need to carry on with the details.

The cupcakes, on the other hand, were so moist and delicious and the frosting was just the right amount of mapley cream cheesy goodness. My sister-in-law, Iliana, shared this recipe with me that she got from House Beautiful Magazine. It is an Ina Garten recipe, so you know it's going to be good:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 extra large eggs, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Maple Frosting (recipe follows)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped Heath bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.

3. Divide the batter among prepared tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

4. Spread the cupcakes with Maple Frosting and sprinkle with the chopped Heath bar bits.

Maple Frosting
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 Tbsp. Boyajian Natural Maple Flavor
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Note 1: I did not use the Heath bar topping because I didn't have any but found them to be just the right amount of sweet.
Note2: Since I was short on time, I did not look for the maple flavoring mentioned but I used whatever I could find at my grocery store which happened to be imitation maple flavoring. Although the frosting was yummy, I'm sure it would have been better with the one mentioned. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Black Friday Football


The Friday after Thanksgiving is usually reserved for shopping and football. This year, we drove out to Murrieta to visit our friend, George. George also happens to be my sister-in-law, Jeanette's brother. George is an avid deep sea fisherman, and that is how he and Horacio became friends. Anyway George is a USC alumnus and a huge fan. If you don't get this within the first 30 seconds of walking into his house, you need to have your eyes examined. So all they (the boys) did on Friday was watch a marathon of football games. Fortunately, we (the girls) snuck out to do a little shopping.


I made Argentinian empanadas to take to George's. These are little hand-held meat-filled pies. They are not as laborious as I anticipated but I am still not as skilled at making pie crusts or dough. Try as I might, I just can't get it right. So these empanadas turned out a bit dry. The filling was tasty but the crust or dough was too dry. Mateo quickly reminded me of my chicken potpie with a similar fate. These, I have to say, are not worth the effort. It is much better to buy them. I won't even bore you with the recipe. If you are daring enough or have the desire to one up me, you can find plenty of recipes online.

My mom made sopes (a small fried bowl made of corn dough) for us at George's.
Of course, she had to wear a USC apron.

Happy Birthday, Cari!

My sister, Cari, is a turkey baby. I mean, her birthday always falls around Thanksgiving. This year it landed right on that day. I made her a slouchy beanie from a pattern I got at Raverly. She looks cute in it! Instead of the cotton worsted weight yarn, I used a skein of Vanna's Glamour in platinum and a skein of Vanna's Choice in linen together. It gave it a more hefty feel which is better for the season and it made a bit slouchier.





Well folks, that is it for now. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I start a new job on Wednesday. Hooray! I will be working in the HR department at, none other than, USC. Go Trojans!

xoxo
sc