Posts

Posted on

Chocolate Caramel Cookies


If you’ve every wanted to say the words, “Mom loves me the best…” and mean it, here’s your chance to make it happen. No lie.

Just give her these, and she’ll forget she even has other kids.

Try to remain calm…

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2-1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

3 Heath candy bars (chocolate covered toffee)

1- 12 oz bag Rolos

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla and beat well. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa and baking soda. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture a little bit at a time and blend well. Cover and chill dough for about 30 minutes.

Chop Heath bars into small pieces. Place in a small bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp sugar.

Once the dough has chilled, wrap a piece around each unwrapped caramel…

forming a 1 inch ball and covering the candy completely.

Roll dough ball into the candy topping—

then place on parchment -lined baking sheet.

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Cookies will look quite soft, but do not over bake.

Cool in pan slightly, then move to a counter to finish cooling. Store in a covered container.

Makes about 4 dozen of the most decadent little things you’ve ever tasted…in your livin’  life.


Chocolate Caramel Cookies
 
Print
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 3 Heath candy bars
  • 1- 12 oz bag Rolos
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa and baking soda.
  4. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture a little bit at a time and blend well.
  5. Cover and chill dough for about 30 minutes.
  6. Chop Heath bars into small pieces.
  7. Place in a small bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp sugar.
  8. Once the dough has chilled, wrap a piece around each unwrapped caramel forming a 1 inch ball and covering the candy completely.
  9. Roll dough ball into the candy topping then place on parchment -lined baking sheet.
  10. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Cookies will look quite soft, but do not over bake.
  11. Cool in pan slightly, then move to a counter to finish cooling.
  12. Store in a covered container.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted on

Our Day in the Field

…track and field, that is.

We are—even the shortest of us–very good spectators…

…as long as there is decent entertainment to keep us awake…

…and of course, plenty of snacks on this perfectly warm, breezy spring day.

A good time to try out the new hats…

even if some aren’t quite finished yet…

and some may be a tiny bit too big. The main thing is that we are finally, finally all outside in the fresh air and we’re together—watching our guy throw that funny little disk around…

Oh, and to pick up…

his…

medal.

 

 

——————–

Week 8 Food Storage Prompt: 5 lbs. powdered milk

Posted on

Sassyfruit Studios

logo_square1

I have had so many people–friends, family, blog pals, and total strangers—ask me, “Who does your blog?” I suppose, if they know me at all, they are well aware that I am utterly baffled by the TV remote and all it’s ridiculous buttons. That being the case,  it isn’t likely I’ve tackled HTML or blog design in the last few months. Hardly.  If there is any cleverness in me, it lies in the fact that I know when to let a professional handle something—especially when that professional is my own daughter.
Which leads me to my next exciting announcement. April’s new blog design site, Sassyfruit is finally up and running. Check it out. I think you’ll be amazed at the talent and versatility of this gal, which is good news for you if you’ve ever wanted your blog to really sparkle. So, to celebrate her grand opening she’s sponsoring a fantastic giveaway.

bird

Sassyfruit is offering a free custom blogger background and header —a $65 value—to one lucky winner.

To enter the giveaway click Sass and follow the simple directions. Once you’ve done that, come back here to Gracious Rain, and make a comment, and you’ll receive another entry.

Oh, and Sassy Fruit is offering a 15% discount to Gracious Rain readers until May 15, 2009. Just mention Gracious Rain when you contact her to start the design process.

getattachmentaspx

Good luck, everyone!
April
Posted on

My Kind of Mom

In preparation for Mother’s Day–I’ve been thinking about some of the movie moms that have really struck a cord with me.  So, for the past few days—I’ve been making a list of some of my favorites. Now, I’m not trying to convince you to like a movie or a character–just because I do, but I’m curious to see if any of you feel the same about some of these moms. I’ve also noticed a common thread in many of these ladies, and that is, that they are positively ferocious if someone messes with their child. I guess I like that a lot. I’ve even added a couple of clips—so be sure to click on the links.

My Top Mother’s Day Movies


“Australia“

“August Rush“

“Baby Boom“

“Freaky Friday“

“Dear Frankie“

“Steel Magnolias“

“The Incredibles“

“Step Mom“

“Safe Passage“

“Flight Plan“

“River Wild”

“Blossoms in the Dust“

I hope you’ll pick at least one of these movie from your stash or from Blockbuster and watch it before the big day. It will really get the mom vibes working.

Let me know if you have any favorite moms in the movies that I’ve missed. Please–please comment below. It’s the only way I know I’m not on the planet alone.

If you want to find out just what movie mom is most like you—take the quiz below.

Which movie mom are you?

Posted on

Chronic Crafting

April and I went to a “Handmade Boutique” this last week and saw—and worse–couldn’t resist so many things.  There was jewelry, clothing, art work, handbags, doll houses, stationery, baby toys–even homemade jam. Admittedly, April came out with more than I did, but she’ll have to confess her own sins…if you get my drift.

Here are a couple of my “indiscretions.”

The first thing that caught my eye was this stained glass bird. You can’t see it here but his tail is pink. I’m a sucker for lavender and pink. I hung him in my bedroom window and he simply sparkles up the whole room.

Then there were these “Babushka” magnets. They reminded me of my far away boy–so they came home with me too.

We even went a little nuts and bought one of those ridiculous cupcakes that seem to be all the rage these days. Somebody ate it before we could get a picture. Sheesh.

Ok, ok–it was pretty dang good.

For me, the best part about going to these things is that for a long time after, I can’t seem to stop…you know…making stuff. There’s just something very empowering about being surrounded by incredibly crafty souls.

The inspiration rubs off and makes me excited to try things like this “Flapper Hat” for Lily.  It feels so good to have my hands busy no matter what else is going on–I end up with projects in every room, and one in the car so that no time is wasted.

The more I make the more I can’t wait to make. It never ends!

Must. Find. More. Crochet. Thread. Now.

Chronic:  “Something that  has been going on for a long time. It may never get better. It is something you will have to live with.”

heh, heh, heh…