On My Way to …..

Rehab. No, not that kind of rehab…shopping rehab. I've known for quite some time I have a problem with shopping. It doesn't matter what kind of shopping. I simply love to shop. Years ago, while working in downtown Chicago my sister noticed I brought a bag home every day after work. During lunch, I would venture over to State Street or Michigan Avenue for some power shopping. Sometimes it something as small as a pair of socks or a splurge purchase regardless, I purchased something every day. While I am not as bad as I used to be, I still find some reason to purchase something. Please don't let it be on sale then it is completely justifiable. This type of shopping mentality has put a dent in my finances that I seriously need to get in order.

In order to get back on track I decided to go on a financial fast. Basically, during a 21 day period of time I will not be allowed to do any non essential shopping. I started on yesterday and will be joined on this journey by two friends. You know shopaholics travel in packsJ. I will post an update at the end of the fast. If you are interested in completing your own financial fast, you can read more about it here.

Holiday Gifts

This holiday season, I decided to give my co-workers baked goods. Each box contained chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter blossoms and pretzel peanut bark. I must say these turned out very well and were appreciated by the recipients. I stocked up on holiday tins during the after Christmas sale and will do this again next year. Below are the recipes I used for the blossoms and bark. I must warn you the pretzel bark is insanely delicious and addictive.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Recipe from Hershey's Kitchen

• 48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
  
• 1/2 cup shortening
  
• 3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
  
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 2 tablespoons milk
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• Granulated sugar
  
• Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
  
• Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
  
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.
  

Pretzel Peanut Bark

Recipe from Paula Deen

• 18 (1-ounce) squares white chocolate
  
• 3 cups skinny pretzel sticks, broken into small pieces but not crushed, then measured
  
• 2 cups dry salted peanuts
  
  
• Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
  
• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water until smooth, or melt in the microwave in a 2 quart glass dish. Microwave on high (100 percent) for 1 minute, stir, and microwave on high for 1 minute more. If necessary, microwave on high for 10 seconds more, and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in the pretzel pieces and peanuts. Stir well with a flexible spatula.
  
• Spoon onto the prepared cookie sheet, spreading the mixture out so that ingredients are relatively evenly distributed.
  
• Allow for the chocolate to cool for several hours or refrigerate for about 45 minutes, until firm. Break the bark into irregular pieces, like peanut brittle. Store in cookie tins, or package in Chinese food take-out cartoons lined with waxed paper.
  

I’m Back!!!!

As you can tell I have seriously neglected my blog. I recently decided to make some changes to my 101 to do list. There were a couple of things I just wasn't feeling and some I knew I needed to add. Stay tuned for more updates.