The Luck O' the Irish

Unfortunately every holiday means eating and some kind of recipe to me. St Patty's day is no exception. I love to fix (and eat) Corned Beef and Cabbage. My darling family is not as enthusiastic, I think the last time I tried to feed it to them they all threatened to never come back for dinner again, sigh... I thought I raised them right.
But I do have a recipe they really like, I only fix it this time of year (don't ask me why) and it is a good one. When Nate and Hillary lived in Rhode Island he called and asked if I would give the recipe to Hillary (I am sure she was thrilled) I think I left out out some of the key steps and they ended up with frosting up to their elbows and not quite sure why Nate would want this recipe. It is a little bit of work but the results are yummy. I have had this recipe longer than some of my kids and I don' t think I even have it written down on the back of an envelope or paper sack, it's in my head, I guess it is good to pass it on before I forget it. Enjoy, let me know if you are brave enough to get messy with this!

Blarney Stones

1 yellow cake mix

mix according to package directions

bake in a large cookie sheet that is well greased and floured @350 for about 15 minutes

check and see if done when touched

let cool for 10 minutes

remove from pan onto a piece of wax paper

cut into triangles

I do this by cutting the cake in strips

then cut rectangles, then cut these into triangles

you can make them as big or as small as you want

I make about a 3-4 inch triangle

freeze uncovered for at least an hour so they are easier to work with, you can do these ahead

if you are making one day and completing another, cover after they are frozen

Okay you are this far now, no turning back!

Frosting

1 cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

2 tsp vanilla

2 lb bag powder sugar

Beat together, may need to add some milk to thin

Here comes the best part..

1 16 oz bag of salted Spanish peanuts(skins on)

put these through a blender till crushed

take a few cakes pieces out of the freezer at a time

frosting all sides, top bottom, etc

so it is completely covered.

Have a plate with the crushed peanuts on

dip the icing covered blarney stone until it is covered with the crushed peanuts

You are done!

Like I said a little bit of work, but you are going to love the taste, most people can't figure out what it is, until you tell them.

Birthday Blitz!!

February is our special month for birthdays

Or should I say we have four special people in our family with February Birthdays

First one up is our Kenzie Kate

February 2nd is the date

She is 14 years old this year and turning into a real heart breaker

She is our original comedian of the family

and too cute for words

She is a social butterfly and always has something going on with all her friends

Next up is Annie who turned 8 this year

She is a sweetie and Mom's big helper

Her special date is February 4th

She wanted Polly Pockets and got bucket loads of em

She also wanted an ice cream cake and Mom didn't disappoint with

a really "cool" cake

Third one on the list is Natalie Ryan

On February 5th four years ago she joined our family

She had a blast at her birthday party and loved all her fun presents

Her Mom made her a very special doll cake with a blue dress

which is Natalie's favorite color

Last but not least is Carrie

Her special day is February 9th (I will be nice and not list her age!)

Her darling kids and her Mom Becky put together a birthday party complete with

Valentine plates and wrapping paper

She is super Mom and always has a beautiful smile for all of us

Needless to say we have all had our share of cupcakes, cakes, ice cream

sugar, sugar, sugar

Is there any other way to celebrate??

I am very late in getting all these birthday wishes to my special February Birthday girls

but much love to all of these very precious people in my life!

It's Almost Time

Since "Sugar Cookie" Season is fast approaching (some call it Valentines Day) I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes. It has a lot of history. My sweet redheaded sis Suzie gave it to me along time ago. I think the recipe has been doubled maybe even tripled over time so you could cut in half (heaven forbid) or I sometimes 1 1/2 times it depending on the project. when my kids were little we would make them at Halloween, each kid making his/her own and decorating. They would get to do with them what they wanted and I remember Nate keeping them under his bed till they were gone. We made big heart shaped ones for our neighbors, one for each member of the family putting their names on each one. We worked for days and I think one year I bought 25 pounds of powder sugar for the frosting (and used almost all of it!) We would then deliver our treasures out to each family. What fun!! My sister Yvonne likes them plain without frosting (I don't know what is wrong with her) but you can color the dough if you have anybody strange like that. Or put sugar crystals on them too! Anyway start some traditions of your own, put this one in the recipe box, it is a keeper and most of all take time to eat too many yourself.

SUGAR COOKIES

7 cups of flour

2 cups shortening (crisco)

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup milk

Mix together flour,salt, baking powder and sugar

Cut in shortening like you would for pie dough

Beat eggs and milk together

Add to flour mixture and mix (okay this is the part if you have a kitchen aid mixer, use it)

If not then mix by hand, if you have a large teenage boy or husband around to do this part it really helps.

Roll out, cut you favorite shapes. Bake on PAM sprayed cookie sheet @375 for 9-11 minutes

These stay soft for along time, they can be made and frozen until you are ready to frost.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1 cup shortening

1 cup butter

2 tsp vanilla

2 lbs powder sugar

milk or water to thin

beat butter, shortening together, add vanilla then powder sugar 1/3 at a time till combined

You can substitute 8 oz of cream cheese for the shortening (yummy)

instead of vanilla add 1 tsp almond extract and 1 tsp vanilla

Instead of extract with the cream cheese add some orange zest and some orange juice to thin (again yummy)