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Compost Happens is a personal blog: part family, part garden, part crunchy green eco-writer. I'm Daisy, and I'm the groundskeeper here. I take care of family, garden, and coffee, when I'm not teaching and doing laundry.

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  • Saturday, April 07, 2012

    Hoppy Easter!

    For those of you who celebrate, I offer you the following greetings from La Petite's bunnies.



    "Hello, world. Look at my cuteness."



    "Oh, fine. I'll get in the basket. But I won't pose!"

    Anyway, readers, enjoy your day.
    Hop. Hop.

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    Monday, January 16, 2012

    I dreamed a dream

    In recognition of Dr. King's Dream, below is a re-post.

    I dream that differences will be valued, not disdained.
    Eye color, hair color, body shapes, and skin shades will be appreciated for their beauty and variety.
    Cultural traditions will not disappear, but will thrive and grow together into a rich and fascinating sharing of knowledge and beliefs.

    I dream that blindness will be merely a different way of seeing, and deafness impair only the quantity, not the quality of the language 'heard'.

    Children will matter because they own the future. Their education, academic and social, will become and remain of utmost importance.

    Questions will come from curiosity, not ignorance, and the answers will breed respect.

    Knowing each other, knowing ourselves, will lead to recognizing that fights and conflicts, wars of all kinds, have little value.

    The mediators and the peacemakers will be recognized as the strongest leaders.
    Together, cooperation will lead, and collaboration will be the norm.
    Together, we'll dream the dream into reality. Together.

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    Monday, December 26, 2011

    Taking Stock of Christmas

    What can I give you this Christmas?
    Something sparkling to go with your eyes?
    I'll give you the light of a Yuletide star
    from the cold December sky.
    What can I give you this Christmas?
    Something soft like the sound of your name?
    I'll give you the hush of the falling snow
    as it settles on the ground.
    There isn't much that a boy like me can give to a girl like you.
    I've searched the Christmas shop windows and now I know it's true.
    What can I give you this Christmas?
    Not a thing that I've seen will do.
    So I'll give you my heart and my own true love
    that will last the whole year through.

    Something sparkling, to go with my eyes?
    I'm not much of a jewelry person; I'm a casual dresser. No tiaras here, just fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm at my desk before the office heat kicks in But my eyes - I'm hearing impaired, so my eyesight is precious. My sweet husband saw me through cataract surgeries in both eyes. He even agreed to the expensive and not-one-cent-covered by insurance multi-focal replacement lens. Now, the world sparkles a lot more brightly than it ever did.

    Something soft? My new Snuggie in a Green Bay Packers print is very warm and snuggly, soft and sweet. And since my ever-patient husband, a.k.a. Chuck, has a whole different outlook on the football season, it's really sweet of him to buy this for me.

    But his heart and his own true love - my supremely wonderful spouse outdid himself this time. When I mentioned my desire, he called it "...a worthless piece of paper." He wasn't far off. It doesn't pay dividends, I can't sell it, it's so non-transferable that I can't even leave it in my will. But in spirit, it's worth a million, and when I opened the box, I had a lump in my throat.

    Readers, I received a share of Green Bay Packers stock for Christmas. I am officially - literally, not figuratively - an NFL owner, an investor in the Green Bay Packers.

    Lyrics to 'What can I give you this Christmas?' were hard to find, and I still can't find the songwriter's name to give credit where credit is due. It's a lovely song, and it fits the true sentiments of gift giving at this time of year.

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    Sunday, December 25, 2011

    The Twelve Days of Walker in Wisconsin

    2011 has been difficult year for me and for Wisconsin teachers in general. Thanks to our soon-to-be former governor, Scott Walker, we have lost salary, benefits, and bargaining rights. But our state has lost much more. A colleague found this online, and I thought it was worth sharing. Credit goes to the Solidarity Singers for spreading the word; I don't know who wrote the lyrics.

    On the first day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    An unarmed populace.

    On the second day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the third day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the fourth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the fifth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the sixth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the seventh day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Russ Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the eighth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Health care for the poor, Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the ninth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    A United DNR, Health care for the poor, Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the tenth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Lower than average unemployment, a United DNR, Health care for the poor, Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    On the eleventh day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    The shrinking middle class, Lower unemployment, a United DNR, Health care for the poor, Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    (Dramatic tempo change and a grand pause -- )
    On the twelfth day of his term, Scott Walker took from us:
    Domestic partner benefits, the Shrinking middle class, Lower unemployment, a United DNR, Health care for the poor, Decker's shining virtue, Good public education, HIGH SPEED RAIL!! Fair union contracts, Safe drinking water, Stem cell research, and an unarmed populace.

    In response, we say to the Grinch a.k.a. Walker:

    In the first twelve days of the recall we gathered over 500,000 signatures.

    'Nuff said.

    Enjoy your family and the holiday season, readers. Remember, your vote counts. When the time comes, please go to the polls to preserve the best gift of all: a democracy.

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    Saturday, December 24, 2011

    Eating the Opponent: Chicago!

    Why are you reading blogs? It's Christmas Eve! Oh, yes, it's NFL football day, too. My Green Bay Packers play tomorrow, though. However, Green Bay maintains its popularity in the NFL schedule by playing on the national stage again, this time on a holiday: Christmas Day.

    In the Okay By Me homestead, we'll eat the opponent on Christmas Eve. Tonight. After a day of wrapping presents and organizing gifts and cleaning the house, I just don't feel up to cooking something special. Neither does Chuck. It's a good thing the Packers are playing the Chicago Bears. We picked up a Chicago style deep dish pizza yesterday from a take and bake place. Followed by Christmas cookies for dessert, it will be the perfect Christmas Eve supper.

    After the presents are unwrapped, the brunch eaten, the naps taken (believe me, I'll need one), we'll gather around the Christmas tree and watch our Packers take the field once again. It's Aaron Rodgers' neighborhood, remember, and Sunday promises to be a beautiful day.

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    Friday, December 23, 2011

    Rouxbe Cooking School

    It was an impulse. I admit it. I signed up for a trial of five lessons with Rouxbe Cooking School online. I thought, "Why not?" After all, I enjoy playing in the kitchen, I like to post recipes on my blog, and the folks at home (mainly Chuck, my ever-tolerant and loving husband) will enjoy the results. On top of that, I teach online; surely I can learn the same way.

    Each lesson follows the same structure. First, goals of the lesson. We teachers would call those objectives. Second, the lesson video. Rouxbe recommends watching, rewinding, watching again. Next comes the fun part: Practice, also known as Edible Exercises. Last, I'll take an interactive quiz and then participate in a discussion board.

    Readers, my dearests, be prepared for reviews of the cooking school. I'm more of a simple cook, where my husband is more of an Iron Chef type in the kitchen. Whenever he's interested, I invite him to look over the lessons and participate in the practice portion with me.

    Meanwhile, I'm baking cookies. It is, after all, the night before the night before Christmas!

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    Tuesday, December 20, 2011

    Pumpkin Bread for the Bread Machine

    Bread Machine, Breadmaker, Breadmaker, Bread Machine. You know what I mean. It's the appliance that allows us busy cooks to have fresh bread with a minimum of fuss.

    Here's a special variety of bread for the upcoming holidays. I'm tempted to add raisins or nuts to it: maybe next time.

    Ingredients:
    Add to bread machine in this order.
    1/2 cup milk
    1/2 cup canned pumpkin
    1 egg
    2 Tablespoons margarine or butter, cut up
    3 cups bread flour
    3 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
    1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

    Select basic white bread cycle. Enjoy!

    Adding nuts can happen at the "add more goodies" beep mid-cycle or at the beginning. Readers, any preference as to timing?

    Enjoy the bread, and have a great holiday full of good food and family fun.

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    Tuesday, December 13, 2011

    Banana Bread with Crumble Topping

    Recipe from Bakesale Betty: Oakland, CA. This was part of our Eating the Opponent challenge as the Packers prepared to play the Oakland Raiders.

    Ingredients: banana bread batter
    1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
    1 cup sugar
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 cup mashed rip bananas - 2 to 3 medium
    2 large eggs
    1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
    1/4 cup honey (local, of course)

    Crumble ingredients:
    2 Tablespoons sugar
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    2 1/2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar

    Directions:
    Butter and flour 9" by 5" by 3" bread pan or alternative
    Whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.
    Whisk bananas, eggs, oil, and honey. add dry ingredients; stir to blend. Transfer batter to pan(s). Mix crumble ingredients; sprinkle over batter.

    Bake bread at 350 for 1 hour - less if splitting it into smaller pans. Cool bread in pan for 30 minutes (if you can wait that long). Turn pan on its side; slide out bread, being gentle with topping. Turn bread right side up and cool completely.

    This might just become my Christmas morning standard. It can bake and then cool while we're opening presents. By the time we've left the wrappings as playthings for the rabbit, we're hungry enough to enjoy a special treat. This banana bread with more could be just the right treat.

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    Thursday, November 24, 2011

    The Fabled Fairies of Thanksgiving - Reprise

    What are you doing reading blogs on Thanksgiving Day? Go spend time with friends and family!

    But if you must, here's my classic Thanksgiving post, The Fabled Fairies of Thanksgiving.

    Thanksgiving Dinner? No problem! I'll call in the fairies. They'll do everything.

    The laundry fairy washes, dries, and presses the table linens, including the cloth napkins. If she's feeling generous, the sheets and towels might get folded, too.
    The turkey fairy will practice her specialty and make sure the bird is cooked and carved just in time for dinner. White meat and dark, it'll all be moist and savory and leave just enough leftovers for sandwiches and a turkey noodle soup.
    The baker fairy will take care of pies, pumpkin and otherwise. He's an expert on flaky crust, selected spices, and the perfect portion of whipped cream. Don't let that Simple Simon guy get in the way; the kitchen's too small for anyone who begs to taste the wares.
    The brownie -- the cunning little house elf -- will clean the home thoroughly, put the leaf in the big table, and get the extra chairs out of the basement.
    I wouldn't dream of neglecting the wine fairy: the sommelier so tiny she only recommends, never lifts, a bottle. Her taste is impeccable. Now if we could stop her before she over-imbibes and falls asleep on top of the piano...
    Did I mention the decorator fairy? She'll fix the fireplace mantel with something tasteful and seasonal before she makes sure the couch and rocker are properly arranged for the annual holiday gladiator contests known as NFL football.
    The ambiance fairy keeps the wood fire crackling in the fireplace, the aromas wafting deliciously through the home, and the family discussions neutral and unpolitical.
    The kitchen fairies: really, there must be a whole crew of these talented sprites. One to do the shopping early and avoid the crowds, another to make sure the cranberries are perfect (and local, of course), and a magical maestro with the potato masher. Then we'll need a feisty fairy, one with attitude -- yes, you, Tinkerbell, you can make the coffees.

    Mom, you can send the fairies over to my house now that we're hosting the annual family Thanksgiving dinner. Let them know that I'll have their room ready and their favorite cookies baked. If they arrive on Sunday there should be enough time to get everything done.

    Wait. What do you mean...they're...not....real?

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    Thursday, November 10, 2011

    Hint, hint...

    Dear family;

    'Tis the season -- the season for wracking our brains, thinking about birthdays and Christmas and birthdays (in that order). 'Tis the season for stimulating the economy a little bit. This year, our family economic stimulus will be limited, I know. And that's why, dear family, I'm dropping hints about practical gifts. You're all creative people; you can make them special.

    A new shredder. Mine (okay, our) gave up after many faithful years of use. If you replace our home shredder, you could address the gift tag not just to me, but also to Chuck. We'll both use it.

    Winter boots suitable for walking. I might beat you to the punch on this purchase. I really, really enjoy walking to work, and I don't intend to stop when the snowflakes fall. My current boots are suitable for shoveling, driving, and everyday winter wear, but not for walking the 3/4 mile to my workplace. Since size is always an issue with footwear, keep the receipt.

    Coffees, of course. I have a decent coffee grinder now, so beans are fine. In fact, grinding coffee is an activity that makes the kitchen smell wonderful. Well, it smells great to me, that is.

    I've been told my workplace offices are cold, colder, and coldest in the winter. It's an old building, drafty, with unpredictable heat. Family, something warm for the cubicle would be a thoughtful gift. A poncho/cape, the thicker the better. I already have my fingerless gloves, but I've been advised to bring a blanket. A Snuggie (did I really just suggest a Snuggie?) would probably fit the bill.

    Canning supplies and tools. Always. You know I'll use them! I might even gift you with the resulting goodies.

    On a similar note, gardening tools and supplies are always welcome. They're not exactly in season, though, so I'll understand if you wait until spring and Mothers' Day for those.

    I know, I know, I won't get what I really want. I'll dream, though. What type of gift is this? I'll tell you. If money were no object, and all things were possible, if wishing on a star really made a dream come true, I'd ask for: Green Bay Packers stock.

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    Monday, May 30, 2011

    I love a parade!

    Every year we start Memorial Day by throwing our lawn chairs in Amigo's bike basket and hitting the road for half a block to stake our claim on a good place to watch the parade. Seriously, it's half a block from our home. We watch from the front yard, and when the police are putting the traffic barriers up, we head over and park ourselves in the road under our favorite shade tree. Here's Amigo and MIL cheering on the municipal city band. Chuck? He was relaxing.


    Amigo didn't look excited to see my alma mater march past. Well, at least he applauded.


    I tried to get my neighbor's son in this shot with his baritone - instead, it looks like part of the seventy-six trombone section from Music Man.

    And then we went home. Home, to help out our "real live veteran in our front yard," as Amigo put it. FIL didn't want to struggle all the way down the street with his walker, so he settled under our mock cherry tree and read a book. We gave him a little flag next to his lawn chair so he could be part of the festivities.

    Happy Memorial Day, everyone. May your family members in the services stay safe and return to you soon.

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    Sunday, May 08, 2011

    A Mother's Garden

    My garden is only just started. I've put in the bean and pea seed and a few shallots and onions. Mine isn't nearly as well fenced in as this one.

    Of course, I'm only fending off bunnies, squirrels, and woodchucks.



    Since I don't have to worry about monkeys, I think I'll sit back and have a cup of coffee and relax. Weather permitting, I'll see if I can get a few more seeds in. To me, that's a renewing and relaxing Mothers' Day.


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    Sunday, April 24, 2011

    Bunny Wisdom

    This one has been traveling the Interwebs all day, and I couldn't resist sharing. It's not a Daisy original, but it's good.

    Everything I Needed to Know I learned from the Easter Bunny

    Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

    Walk softly and carry a big carrot.

    Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

    There’s no such thing as too much candy.

    All work and no play can make you a basket case.

    A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.

    Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

    Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

    Some body parts should be floppy.

    Keep your paws off other people’s jellybeans.

    Good things come in small-sugar coated packages.

    The grass is greener in someone else’s basket.

    An Easter bonnet can cover the wildest hare.

    To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell.

    he best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

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    Tuesday, February 15, 2011

    Home Made Ice Cream!

    QUICK VANILLA ICE CREAM

    I've used this simple vanilla ice cream as a base with other fun add-ins. I use egg substitute to reduce the risk of using uncooked eggs; when using real eggs, 1/4 cup egg substitute = 1 egg.

    Makes: Ten 1/2 -cup senings
    2/3 cup sugar
    1 1/2 cup egg substitute
    2 cups heavy cream
    1-3/4 cups whole milk
    1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    Place sugar and egg substitute in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with an electric
    hand miser until light and fluffy, about 2 - 3 minutes. Add cream, milk and vanilla. Mix on
    medium speed until combined, about 1 - 2 minutes.

    Pour into freezer bowl of ice cream maker and turn the machine ON. Let mix until mixture thickens, about 20 - 25 minutes. If desired, transfer ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer until firm, about 2 hours.

    Variations:
    Add hard pieces 5 minutes before ice cream is done mixing in ice cream maker. I added green, yellow, and brown mini-m&ms as a lead-up to the Super Bowl. Why brown? For the footballs, of course.
    In general, add a total of 1/2 cup of solid add-ins. If you're using two, such as chocolate and nuts, use 1/4 cup of each.
    The vanilla extract can be replaced by a more appropriate flavor if desired, such as peppermint or almond extract. Be creative! This recipe is a basic vanilla; I start with the basics and then make changes.
    Other add-ins:
    crushed candy canes (use peppermint extract in place of vanilla)
    chocolate chips
    nuts (consider almond extract)

    As my family says, "Good stuff, Mom." Enjoy!

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    Tuesday, February 08, 2011

    Zippy Turkey Hash

    Hash by nature is a mix of leftovers.
    Turkey, in our United States Thanksgiving culture, is a leftover in the making.

    Sunday morning, I pulled out the last container of leftover turkey from the freezer, and Chuck and I created a turkey hash. I got the idea from Big Black Dog, and then we ran with it, adding our own special touches. Typical of my kitchen, it was a mish-mash of available ingredients, and it turned out delicious.

    Turkey Hash

    Potatoes: 1 per person, washed and diced (I left the peelings on)
    Onion: 1 medium white onion, diced
    Leftover turkey: about 3 cups
    1 cup chicken or turkey stock

    Saute onions in olive oil or butter. Add stock and potatoes. While the potatoes are cooking (about 20 minutes), add other available ingredients. We added -

    2 small jalapeno peppers from the freezer, diced (provide the zip!)
    1 clove garlic, minced
    Dash of each: black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, any other preferred and favorite spices

    When the potatoes are done, the rest will be cooked through. Serve with eggs, coffee, and juice for a fabulous weekend brunch.

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    Monday, January 17, 2011

    Dreams

    In the wake of the Tragedy in Tucson, and in recognition of Dr. King's Dream, below is a re-post from times past.

    I dream that differences will be valued, not disdained.
    Eye color, hair color, body shapes, and skin shades will be appreciated for their beauty and variety.
    Cultural traditions will not disappear, but will thrive and grow together into a rich and fascinating sharing of knowledge and beliefs.
    I dream that blindness will be merely a different way of seeing, and deafness impair only the quantity, not the quality of the language 'heard'.
    Children will matter because they own the future. Their education, academic and social, will become and remain of utmost importance.
    The mediators and the peacemakers will be recognized as the strongest leaders.
    Questions will come from curiosity, not ignorance, and the answers will breed respect.
    Knowing each other, knowing ourselves, will lead to knowing that fights and conflicts, wars of all kinds, will cease to be of value.

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    Saturday, January 15, 2011

    What does a baby do with a big pot?

    Amigo borrowed my new big canner to teach his cousin some new tricks.

    "Hey, Amigo, I got it! I can solo now!"


    "What's that? You in the corner - are you laughin' at me?"

    "Wait a minute. This isn't where the drummer goes."

    "Next gig, Amigo, we'll wow 'em at our next gig."

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    Tuesday, January 04, 2011

    Orange Cranberry Scones

    Continuing my series of holiday recipes after the holiday - these, like the pecan cookies, can be made any time of year. They make a delicious addition to a holiday breakfast or brunch, but they don't need to be reserved for Christmas. I've been so tired that I couldn't make the goodies on Christmas morning itself; I put together a batch later in the week and made them again on New Year's Day while we watched the Rose Bowl parade. Enjoy!

    from Food in Jars blog

    Food in Jars posted this as a Gift in a Jar format. I haven't given it away yet, but I have made the recipe twice. Here it is!

    To be layered in a pint jar:
    1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose)
    3 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt)

    Mix the zest of one orange with 1/4 cup sugar and add to jar.
    Top with 1/2 cup dried cranberries. Possible substitutions include dried blueberries or raisins.

    To bake the scones:
    Mix contents of jar in medium mixing bowl.
    Cut 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter into the mixture.
    Beat 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 egg together. Add to mixture and stir to combine.
    Once combined, turn onto baking sheet and pat into circle.
    Cut into 8 wedges, but do not separate. A pizza cutter works well.
    Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until golden on top.

    Serve with jam or apple butter or drizzle with powdered sugar frosting.

    Finding yet another recipe that calls for whole wheat pastry flour makes me determined to find it. That's my task for the week: check out the local specialty stores and if they don't have it, try Woodman's!

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    Saturday, January 01, 2011

    Happy New Year: a year in First Days

    Let's work backwards with the retrospective this year. Preparing this annual post is fun; finding out what was on my mind at the beginning of each month is fascinating.

    November: Must have been a Tuesday. Another Apple Crisp!
    October: Random Dental Thoughts If you're wondering, I did call the doctor after my dentist appointment. The nurse thought my nitrous story was hilarious.
    September: She Needs to Read - if you're wondering about this student, she's still around. Stability is no longer a foreign concept.
    August: Math, Math, Math. August, and I was already preparing to teach. I'm more skilled at teaching reading and writing than I am math; the Math Institute was time well spent.
    June: Rhubarb Dessert Yum. I have rhubarb in the freezer; maybe I should make this!
    May: Seed Inventory! Oh, sigh, for a patch of dirt that isn't frozen!
    April: Hershey's Basket Blog Hop A blog blast and a picture of baby Krumpet!
    March: Creativity I'd rather Avoid What will they think of next? No, don't answer that.
    February: On Brahms, Life and Death, and Being There One of my most serious posts. If you read only one from 2010, make it this one.

    I noticed that I rarely posted on the first of the month. What's going on in my life at the turn of each month that makes it so hard to put up a post? The collection includes a few recipes, a couple of product reviews/ blog carnivals, and a lot of teacher posts. I predict 2011 will have a different focus; you'll see why in a few days.

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    Tuesday, December 28, 2010

    Pecan-Cinnamon Cookies

    I know, I hear you. Cookies after Christmas? Well, readers, that's the way my life has been running lately. Sheer craziness, no time to even think or plan ahead. I've had this recipe sitting in the kitchen for two weeks, and I finally made it on Christmas Eve Day. The recipe says it makes 48 cookies, but I cut mine thicker and made about half that. They're delicious.

    Pecan-Cinnamon Cookies
    1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
    3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
    1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
    1 large egg
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (I used all-purpose this time)
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 cup finely chopped pecans
    1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

    In a bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well.
    In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed until combined. Stir in the pecans.
    Divide the dough in half and use lightly floured hands to shape each portion into a 6 inch log. Wrap each log in waxed paper and place in the freezer until firm: at least one hour.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    Unwrap the dough and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. On a shallow plate, combine the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar with the cinnamon. Roll the logs in the sugar mixture, then slice each into cookies. The directions say make the cookies 1/4 inch thick; I had to make mine thicker. They were crumbling like crazy.
    Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

    Serve with coffee, of course. Or milk.

    Hints: I had pecan halves in the cupboard, so I put them in a ziploc bag and pounded them with a meat tenderizer. It worked beautifully and felt oh, so satisfying.
    Readers, do you use whole wheat pastry flour? I'm finding it recommended by more and more cookbooks and blogs. My grocery store doesn't carry it; where do you buy this kind of flour?

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