Ginger Crackle Cookies

Well, yesterday I posted about a tradition we have at “Casa de Thornburg.” I bake ginger cookies to eat while we decorate the Christmas tree. We love these cookies! They are moist and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Mmmm…

I baked these when we decorated our tree about four years ago, and it became an instant tradition…lol. The boys make sure I don’t forget each year! We all love them so today I thought I’d share the recipe with you. Be sure to come back and tell me if you liked them!

Ginger Crackle Cookies

1 c. brown sugar
¾ c. butter
¼ c. molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ¼ c. flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. salt
**sugar to coat

Cream room temperature butter together with brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Add in molasses, egg, and vanilla and mix until incorporated. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients including spices. Add dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Chill dough 30 minutes. Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in white sugar. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheet and place in preheated 350 degree oven for 9-12 minutes or until tops are cracked and lightly browned on the bottom.

I know this post is worthless without pictures, but I’ll have to come back and post one after I’ve baked these!

Ciao!

Thirteen years and counting!!!

Candles, tablecloth, cloth napkins, red wine, salad, shrimp scampi, roasted parmesan asparagus, in a quiet retreat with no kids....delightful. A dear friend inspired me to do this "special home date" for my husband. Thanks, Marjorie! It was wonderful!

My sweet husband and I reached our 13th anniversary this past week, and while we enjoyed an evening out (at the San Diego County Fair!), I still envisioned a more private evening to celebrate. So anyways, last night, I set up this romantic, little table for two, complete with china, in our bedroom! Isn't that fun?! Well, we thought so; you should try it sometime! :wink:

My hubby has always appreciated the finer things and my efforts weren't in vain! (For those of you wondering, the kids were happily packed off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night--you know we didn't want to be interrupted during dessert...lol!)

Of course, a photo blog post is worthless without a picture!

The Perfect Breakfast

At least that's what my big boys call it! (I should, too!)

Imagine this....you've just woken up on a Saturday morning, late, I might add...after your darling husband has just let you sleep in till...well, you didn't really think I was gonna tell you the how long I slept, did you?!?!







Anyway, back to the narrative...so, you've just woken up from a good night's sleep and you wake to the sweet aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting up past your open door, and into the bedroom. The kids are pulling their creation out of the oven. The smell of "Yaya's coffeecake," (which they made from scratch, I might add!) will pull ya right out of bed in the morning!

Yes, you read that right! The kids made breakfast, before I got out of bed, AND the kitchen was actually in pretty good shape! Big plus! LOL

Now, many of you have asked, "Are you going to try again for a girl?" and when I announced to my wonderful neighbors that we were expecting a fourth son, I definitely got a few looks of pity! Be sure not to feel and pity for me, my friends! I have been lovingly dealt "four of a kind" and they have been a blessing, every one of them, every day of their lives.

Thank you my sons for being so helpful in the house, for baking treats for us all, and for your kindness to one another. I am so thankful for each of you! I love you!

P.S. And to any of you who got this far...if you'd like the recipe for this yummy coffeecake...let me know in the comments, and I'll send it to ya! Cheers!

(Oh, and if you don't have a link in your signature, plz email me at cristina@ctpstudio.com for the recipe!)

Whoopie pie, fresh bread...Mmmm!

Oh boy...the treats we had tonight! Our dear friend Karen brought "Pumpkin Whoopie Pies" she baked. YUM! What a great fall treat. They were "delish." The girl can bake...I love it! Oh, and did I mention she has another special skill? Okay, I'm letting you off the hook for now, missie...but more on Karen soon. I promise. I know this girl is gonna be on the Wheaties box one of these days soon! (hint)




Now our buddy Mark is quite the master at bread, we've discovered tonight. He made two beautiful loaves of bread...there's no other way to describe it. The bread was soft and chewy on the inside and the outside was...oh, it was truly artisan bread. I must say I'm impressed; I'm thinking a "bread workshop" is in order! My mouth waters again just thinking about it!