Snickerdoodle Score!!

Three Ingredient cookies! Who could resist that?! Cheap and cheerful!

(I know there are four things in the picture below, but water really doesn't count...lol ;D)

I made some Snickerdoodle's for my Sunday school class last week. Against my better judgment I was gonna make them from scratch but then I found this baby at Publix while I was shopping….score! I’d never seen this flavor before in Betty Crocker’s store bought cookie mixes…must be something they only bring out for the holidays because it was next to some pumpkin spice cookie mix too (in a special holiday section of the store). So you can imagine I was elated to find this because I’m notorious for burning cookies. I can make anything else in the kitchen…no problem…but cookies…oh bother... I’ve never been able to conquer them. Not really sure why. I guess they’re my kryptonite in the kitchen…lol. Anyways… :D I made the cookies according to the package and to my surprise they came out awesome!!! I was ecstatic and the kids loved them. They were really surprised that I had made them…lol. (Oh little kiddies…so was I…trust me). Here are some pics of my cookie adventure. Hope you give it a try. One day I’ll be brave and make them completely from scratch, but until then…I’ll be looking to my friend Betty for a helping hand. :D



 This is how the cookies look when you scoop them out and roll them in the cinnamon and sugar before they're baked. :)

 Don't press them down. They will get flat just like these all on there own :)



Check this baby's out! Super yummy and easy peasy to make! Gotta love that! :)

Reasons To Be Thankful

In the spirit of thanksgiving and all that it means; I wanted to share with you a devotional by Greg Laurie that I read this week that really touched my heart.   May it speak to you and touch your heart as it did mine.  We have much to be thankful for...even for the little things :)  I pray that you and yours have a
 Happy Thanksgiving! God bless!!!

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

— Psalm 107:1

It seems as though merchants really don't know what to do with Thanksgiving. They market Halloween and Christmas and make a lot of money off these holidays. But they don't really know what to do with Thanksgiving, which is really very spiritual in its origins. It was designated by President George Washington in 1789 as a national day for giving thanks to God.

In the midst of all our feasting, it is very easy to forget about the one we are celebrating. Sometimes we even forget to give thanks altogether. You might be thinking, Well, I don't have a lot to give thanks for. Maybe you are having financial troubles or health problems. Maybe there is conflict in your family. But we need to put things into perspective. As someone wrote,

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75 percent of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8 percent of the world's wealthy.

There is a lot to give thanks for. And the primary reason we were put on this earth as human beings is to glorify God and to give Him thanks.

Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Pie

Swirly Pumpkin Pie?...why yes.  It sounds lovely...

Well now that we're all in the thick of Thanksgiving prep I thought it be good to share this with y'all.  I make this baby every year....I absolutely love it. I first made it a few years back because I was looking for a little twist on regular pumpkin pie.  I've always felt that pumpkin pie needed a little more body...and the cream cheese in this baby give it just that plus it makes it so pretty too!  If your feeling adventurous or just want a little something extra in your pumpkin pie give it a whirl. You'll love it. It's a thanksgiving staple at my house. :D

Ingredients:

1 9oz (extra servings) ready made Graham cracker crust

(You can also use two regular size 6oz crusts if don't find the "extra servings" crust or you can make yours from scratch...whatevs...I like to use the store bought...it's cheap and cheerful...less mess :D)

3 8oz packages of cream cheese (softened)

1 cup sugar (divided use)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (use real vanilla extract..not "imitation"...yes it makes a difference)

3 large eggs 1 cup canned pumpkin (not canned pumpkin pie mix)

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Directions:
1. Make sure all your ingredients come to room temperature before mixing them.  This will prevent the filling from becoming lumpy. nobody

2. In a large bowl mix on medium speed with electric mixer the cream cheese, 3/4 cup of sugar, and the vanilla until well blended.

3. Add one egg at a time, mixing the batter in between each egg just until blended.

4. Once blended separate 1 and 1/2 cups batter and set aside in a small bowl.

5. Add to the remaining batter the canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup of sugar, and pumpkin pie spice and stir to combine ingredients.

6. Pour pumpkin mixture into crust(s) (if using two divide the batter equally among both)

7.Dollop cream cheese mixture on top of pumpkin batter in several places on pie.

8. To create the swirl effect you can use a toothpick or butter knife.  Drag the knife without disturbing the crust across the pie from left to right and right to left alternating with each line.

9. Bake for about 50-55 minutes (40-45 minutes for two regular size pies) at 325degrees Fahrenheit.  The center will be a little jiggly when you take it out of the oven.

10. Cool pie completely on a wire rack and then refrigerate for at least four hours but over night would be best. Serve with some Cool Whip ;) and enjoy your sweet creation. Happy Baking! :)

Here they are fresh out of the oven.  Ready for Thanksgiving :D