Thinking about New Year's Resolutions...and baking.

Well, its the other time of year for me today...I just started thinking about my New Year's resolutions....

To be honest, this is a process I never really put much thought too, or (much like all of us I'm sure) have huge ambitions that amount to nothing more than giving up two weeks in, only to find that 25 oreos all at once really wasn't that great an idea, no matter how good they sounded!

This year, I'm going to take a different approach.  Baby steps.  Just like Bob. 

1.  Write one song.  I have an almost entirely full journal of song fragments.  I've had this for about 3 years without finishing one thought!  I know if I could sit down and really try, I could do it.

2.  Lose 5 pounds.  Last year it was 20.....and I think I acutally GAINED weight from last year.  So this year, I'm goin' small......5 pounds, nuff said.

3.  Get to know Jesus more.  At our last small group, we sat with each other, opened our bibles and  really started to uncover who Jesus was and is.  Through one small set of scripture in John, I actually learned how Jesus really meets people where they are, and how intimate in relationships He was.  I am just starting to see a glimpse of how I can start a more intimate relationship with Him.  I know He is more real than I make him out to be...  so yeah, I am making that a resolution for sure.

4.  Get new carpet, JUST in the living room.  I know the bedrooms need it too, but that's expensive and a goal that gets shoved to the wayside.  Living room carpet is all I need. :)

5.  Set up my Etsy store.  I, like my song writing, have been waning in creativity and PROductivity lately.  I know I need to get my butt in gear and start cranking out some product!!

6.  Get to know you guys more.  I seriously cherish my readers and their blogs, products, and creativity.  You are such a loving community and I'm so glad to have found you!!!  Or glad you found me :)  I want to pray for your needs (so let me know if you have prayer requests...big and small) and really be involved in your lives...whether through reading your blog, or, trying to meet up and make new friends.  Maybe a Northwest(ish) summer get together is in motion...?  Could be fun!

Anyway....I'm sticking with six this year...little things, but things I am confident I can accomplish. 

What are your new year resolutions?? 

So.....I'm baking tonight.  'Cause the kitchen is finally clean, and I've only made one batch of whoopie pies this season.  What is that about?  Betty Crocker, get ready to meet your match............................via Martha Stewart......and my ramshackle kitchen.

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
8 large candy canes or 30 peppermint candies, crushed
2 pounds white chocolate, coarsely chopped
 
And now you do this...
 
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Reduce speed to medium-low, and add egg, then yolk, beating well after each addition. Beat in peppermint extract. Slowly add flour mixture, and beat until just incorporated. Shape dough into 2 disks, wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).


2.Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut out circles, and place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Roll and cut scraps once. Freeze cookies until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining disk.

3.Bake until cookies are dry to the touch, about 12 minutes. Transfer parchment, with cookies, to wire racks, and let cool. (Undecorated cookies will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.)

4.Sift crushed candy, and separate larger pieces from dust, reserving both. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water. Remove from heat. Dunk cookies into melted chocolate. Using a fork, turn to coat, let excess drip off, and gently scrape bottom against edge of bowl. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of either candy pieces or dust on top. Repeat, sprinkling half the cookies with pieces and the rest with dust. Refrigerate until set, up to 3 hours. Decorated cookies are best served the same day.
 

"Decorated cookies are best served the same day." 

pfffffshhh  hahaha.  Really?  Is that ever a problem for anyone?? 

 

Great....I'm really on a roll to resolution number 2........