Orange Drops

  Today's recipe was # 2, Orange Drops. Definitely a "meh" recipe. I keep biting in to one, expecting more flavor, but all I get are bits of orange zest in my teeth. It's probably for the better, since I single-handedly ate at least three dozen of Monday's batch. (Doesn't really fit in with the weight loss plan!)

In other news, I have a very busy weekend coming up - Friday night cycling fan geek-out, Saturday work then Girl Scout event, then Sunday bike race spectating.

See ya' on the flip side!

It Begins

  I've been baking cookies since I was a kid so I'm no slouch when it comes to baking.So it makes sense that my New Year's Resolution is to bake every recipe in my Betty Crocker Cookie Book. I used my Mom's copy when I was a kid, copied my favorites from it when I moved out, and was thrilled when I got a copy for Christmas a few years ago (a reprint of the 1961 edition). There are so many recipes I've always wanted to try, but just never did - like those twisted candy canes or the painted gingham dog and calico cat. So here I go. I'm starting with the first recipe, and going through in order.

It's like a teeny-tiny ice cream scoop!

Betty starts you out easy - drop cookies.  These are the kind of cookies I love to make - quick and easy! They're why I bought a cookie scoop.

 So the first recipe is applesauce cookies. They're cakey with a bit of spice. At first I thought they were bland, but a few hours later, the flavor developed a bit, now I can't stop eating them. That scoop makes the perfect "pop a whole one in your mouth" sized cookie. I had to put them away and put the can of chicken cereal on top of them so I won't take one every time I walk by!

I have a feeling I'm going to be giving away a lot of cookies this year. If you're in the neighborhood, drop by and I'll send you home with a couple dozen!

Rainy Day Activity

I wasn't able to stick to my program last week, but I tried - I did get a short run on one day, and I biked to work on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. OK, so maybe the commute doesn't count - it's only 3/4 of a mile each way, but it's better than driving! Now I'm back to a normal Wed/Fri work week, but I'll still be biking to work as much as possible.

I have the afternoon to myself. The hubby took the kid to a family birthday party (his side). I should vacuum, but that can wait - there aren't any cat-hair tumbleweeds yet. I'm making cookies - Great Aunt Elizabeth's Oatmeal Raisin. One of my favorite recipes. The recipe makes about a bajillion cookies, so I'm sure there will be at least one or two left when the family gets home tonight. I did make them a little healthier than the original recipe - I substituted half the flour with whole wheat and I reduced the sugar a bit. Besides, my mantra is "It's not junk food if you made it from scratch."

Later this evening, I have rehearsal with Ladies Must Swing, which is why I did not join in the birthday merriment. It's always fun to play with LMS, way more fun than a 70th birthday party for the husband's uncle.