Check out my new look

at Darlybird.

 

 

  

Goodbye dreadlocks! Hello Shirley!

 

cute girls, scuzzy mirror

 

kisses

 

this morning

 

Yesterday was one of those days . . .

when I almost posted the cutest pictures of my kids, with my address and the caption: "FREE KIDS!"

And now you might understand my love affair with the baked good.

Soft and Chewy Gingersnaps

These are so dang good. Love them served with a citrus sorbet in the summer, or something more rich in the winter. Also good with half dipped in chocolate. I think I've only done that once. But it was yummy.

3/4 c butter
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c molasses
4 c. flour
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs powdered ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
granulated sugar to coat

Beat butter, sug, eggs and molasses well. Add dry ingredients. Refrigerate dough for 1/2 to 1 hour. Form into balls and roll into granulated sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8-11 minutes at 350. Cookies will be puffy when removed from oven, but will flatten as they cool. Tops will look cracked. Cool on rack.

Ina's Key Lime Pie/Tarts

For the crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 crackers) 1/4 cup sugar 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted For the filling: 6 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature 1/4 cup sugar 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons grated lime zest 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 to 5 limes) For the decoration: 1 cup (1/2 pint) cold heavy cream 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Thin lime wedges Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Press into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure the sides and the bottom are an even thickness. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. For the filling, beat the egg yolks and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for 5 minutes, until thick. With the mixer on medium speed, add the condensed milk, lime zest, and lime juice. Pour into the baked pie shell and freeze. For the decoration, beat the heavy cream on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until firm. Spoon or pipe decoratively onto the pie and decorate with lime. Freeze for several hours or overnight. *RAW EGG WARNING Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell. MY NOTE: I once made these into individual servings by pressing the graham crust into the bottoms and up the sides of muffin tins. So cute, so yummy.

A Few Requests

Mint Brownies ala Tropical Velvet

These are possibly the best dessert I've ever had. So sinful---I've got the butt and the gut to prove that I made 2 batches within the last 2 months! Usually, I have a "I-make-these-once-a-year" rule. Not this year.

Brownies:

2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
4 eggs
2.5 c. flour
4-1 oz unsweetened choc squares---melted
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together (Do the whole wet and dry thing if you believe in that. I don't.) Bake at 350 for an undisclosed amnt of time. I usually do it for about 25-30 mins. But then again, the recipe says 300 for 20 mins. But that's just way too gooey.

Mint frosting:

4 Tbs butter
2 Tbs evaporated milk (I always use skim because I usually don't have ev on hand.)
2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp mint extract
green food coloring

Beat ingred. Spread layer on brownies after they have cooled.

Chocolate topping:

6 Tbs butter (sometimes I use a bit less to help myself believe I'm making them healthier. As of now, I'm not going to do that any longer, because why try to make these something they're not?)

2 tsp vanilla
1 c. chocolate chips

Melt ingredients on stove, careful not to burn the chips. Pour over top, immediately. (Make sure other layers have cooled.)

Please return and report after trying these.

A Little Darlybird Teaser

 

Mary in Her Regal Royal Blue Robe

I busted up when Estie came prancing out as Mary. She wanted to lay down by baby Jesus (Josie) the entire time. When she wasn't laying down, she was gazing up into Joseph's (George) eyes. It was quite hysterical. 

Had to put another angel

 

One More Angel Shot

I love the folded arms and reverent pose. She was so into it. 

'twas the Night Before Christmas

and all through the house, the kiddos were putting on a darn cute make-shift nativity. Leah was the most serious angel. Lolly gave her the Best Actress Oscar. 

Come on Ring Those Bells

Leah was the star of the Preschool Christmas show (at least in my opinion . . . ) She insisted on wearing those tights and the polar fleece mittens. (I secretly loved it.) 

Classic Giz

 

Just a few Christmas highlights