Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I have been so busy this week, I'm starting to get blurry. Between the fishing dinner I had on Saturday night, my mom and brother visiting from Arizona, and Thanksgiving I haven't had much computer time at all.
I hope everyone is well, and please have a wonderful holiday!
Pictures soon!

XOXO

Meteor Shower

Hi everyone! Just breezing through to say hello, and to see if anyone got up to see the meteor show early this morning? Or, maybe stayed up really late to see it? I got up around 5:15 a.m. to try to catch a glimpse, but saw nothing.

I had a nice weekend. Lots of cleaning and prepping. My mom should arrive later today in Maryland from Arizona. She will stay with my sister until I can get there on Thursday. Then on with that dang fishing tournament dinner Saturday night. I still have a lot to do this week, and hopefully won't forget to pick up the ham in the middle of everything. I can't even think about Thanksgiving at this moment or I just might go into cardiac arrest!

Have a great week, and I'll try to check in when I get a chance. I hope everyone is doing well and healthy!

XOXO

Coffee Break

Just breezing through to wish everyone a Happy Monday. I also want to tell you that I am taking a break this week from posting. I will still be reading and commenting because I love to know what is going on with everyone!

I just have too much menu planning, organizing, shopping, and recipes to read this week for the fishing dinner I'm hosting next Saturday. Oh, and not to mention work too! If I have to worry about what to post about everyday, I might get a little stressed, (I know you know what I'm talking about!)

So, until next post, have a wonderful week!!

(I might have to do this a few times in the next couple of months!)

XOXO

Start Planning Now

It's that time of year again! Don't wait until the last minute, like I do sometimes, start now and it will make things a lot less stressful. My baking has officially begun, and I'm starting to get a little excited. I'm sure this will come to a screeching halt as it gets closer, but for now, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. I hope some of these tips help you get motivated if you are hosting this year!

Start planning your Thanksgiving Day celebration today to avoid any bumps and stumbles down the road. Here are a few things to consider doing this week:

• Decide on your menu. What do you want to serve? How many guests will you have? Tailor your dinner to what you can reasonably manage based on your skills, kitchen space, and finances.
• Assemble your recipes, and write out a grocery list.
• Double-check your kitchen equipment. You’ll need: a thermometer, butcher twine, casserole dishes, bowls, serving utensils, and a roasting pan with a rack. Do you prefer to carve with an electric knife? Make sure it’s in good working order.
• If you’re planning to cook a fresh or heritage turkey, order now if you haven’t already done so.
• Plan your table settings. Make sure you have enough flatware, silverware, and glasses. Iron table clothes and napkins. Make arrangements for flowers. Will you need more chairs or a kids’ table? How about decorations and candles? Assemble and store everything.
• Sharpen your knives.
  

Have a wonderful Friday!

XOXO

Happy Birthday John!

Today is my son John's Birthday!

It is a family tradition that on every birthday, we make a cookie cake. Every year, my mom always made this cake for all the kids. Now, my kids expect this cake on every birthday. It is a little tedious, but well worth the effort! My version is the log roll, and you cut it on a diagonal.
I made this cake for my son this morning, and it is chilling in the frig, waiting for him to come home from work.

This is another version of how you can make this cake. You place about six of the wafers on a plate, in a circle and layer the whipped cream on the wafers....

This is how you start the cake I made. You spread each wafer with whipped cream and make small stacks on a platter. Then lay them on the sides like this. Then spread the whipped cream all over to make the cake. It is the most delicious dessert you will ever try. I dread making it, but once I get started, it is a breeze! Give it a try, you will not be sorry!

Just remember----you have to make REAL whipped cream, and you have to use the original Famous Chocolate Wafers! (unless, of course, you make homemade wafers!)
Here is the recipe!

I remember my mother making this dessert for every birthday in the 1960s & 70's. It´s so simple and so good! Make sure you chill it for at least four hours in the refrigerator so the cookies soften. For an all chocolate version, add 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder when you beat the heavy cream with the powdered sugar. Yum.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pkg. plain chocolate wafers (Famous Wafers), about 60
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation:

Beat together cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff. Spread a generous spoonful on each cookie and stack them on a serving plate to make a long log. When all the cookies are frosted and stacked, cover the entire log with more whipped cream to cover thoroughly. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least four hours. Slice on a diagonal to serve. Or, you can divide the wafers into eight groups. Frost the top of each wafer and stack them vertically, making eight stacks of cookies. Then frost the top and sides of each little stack, like you would a cake. Top each with a maraschino cherry half and chill for at least four hours. Serve one stack to each diner. Serves 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN
We love you!!

XOXO