No #8, But Something Special.

Good Monday evening everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. One of my favorite things to do on a weekend during winter is chill out on the sofa watching The Waltons. I love that show! How about you guys, any of my readers Walton fans?

As you can tell my #8 appetizer isn't in this post. When I thought about cooking or baking this weekend, I couldn't pull myself to do it. Although today I did get to bake some yummy cookies (scroll down). So, instead I am giving you recipes my readers have taken and made themselves. And seeing others make my recipes, I seriously love it.

"Sour Cream Sugar Cookies" made by Jody. I love her blog. Jody is a Momma to 6, ages 9 and under. I love finding families with 6 kids since there are 6 kids in my family too.

"Corn Dip" made by Allie. We make this dip fairly often during summer time here and Allie got to make it for an autumn party she had....doesn't it look scrumptious? "Giant Ginger Cookies" made by Jessica. These are my favorite fall cookies and Jessica got to make them for her sister as a going away snack to college. "Won Over Coffee Cake" made by Joan. I love love this coffee cake and Joan thought so too. Seriously, it is sooo good."Big Brownie Cookies" made by Lisa. Such easy cookies and yet amazingly delicious. Lisa baked these up for her PTA meeting and everyone there loved them and her family did too. Yummo."Ooey Gooey Cookies" made by Katherine. Katherine baked these up for her girls and neighborhood and they loved them. She's already made these 4 times!

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"Correcting Those Lighting Issues"
I'm sure most of you guys deal with lighting issues when taking your food pictures, I sure do! I found a solution. It is a free download called Picasa which is available thru Google. Google "Picasa 3" and click on the first link that comes up. See the below picture? That is before editing. The next picture is after editing. This software isn't hard to figure out either.

After editing.

"Oatmeal S'more Cookies"
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 - 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and marshmallows. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1-2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 6 dozen.

See you next with #8 in appetizers!

17.

I am 17 today. Such an odd number for me. I feel like I am getting old....most of you guys probably think I am crazy. But, I still think it.

I am grateful for 17 years of a healthy life. I am grateful for parents who love me, 3 brothers & 2 sisters, my friends, music, my dogs Lewis & Clark, laughter, smiles, sunshine, snow, that I can bake, blogging, my blog readers, a roof to live under, clothes, & most important - that Jesus is my Lord & Savior.

Come with me down memory lane.....

I was born in Whittier, CA on December 2, 1991. I think my older sister Lisa and older brother Andrew were pretty excited about getting a baby sister. =)

A couple days after I was born with my sister Lisa. The not long lived family of three, soon three more would come. And yes, I was a very chubby baby, all around. In 1992, now I've got a baby brother. And there are now "4" of us. Joe & I with our baby goat kids we used to raise in 2001. Man, how I loved those baby goats. With my friend, Jocelyn in 2008. We've been friends for 17 years.
With my bunch in 2008, anniversary pictures for our parents.

Hope you've enjoyed this and be back soon with my Top Ten Appetizers!!