Stay at Home Grandma

After working at a local bookstore for several years, I decided a few months ago to quit work to become a ‘stay-at-home’ grandma.  I feel very fortunate that I was able to make that choice.  One of the many things I had wanted to do with the grandkids was to make holiday treats.  I guess there is a bit of my mom in me that way.  At Halloween, I had two of the kids come over and we made treats.  Using pretzels, candy melts and a few other things, we made “pumpkins” and “bones.”  I wish I would have taken pictures. I found the ideas on Pinterest.  Anyway, the kids had fun and were good helpers.  We even made ‘mummy dogs’ with hot dogs and crescent roll dough for dinner.  Yummy!

At Thanksgiving, other grandkids were here, so we decided to make turkeys out of sandwich cookies, malt balls, peanut butter cups and frosting.  I had seen these on Pinterest (of course!), and one of my daughters was given some by a friend.  So, the day before Thanksgiving, 5 kids helped me to make the turkeys, making enough to put one at each person’s plate for Thanksgiving dinner.  We had quite an assembly line, ‘glueing’ the pieces together, then refrigerating them overnight.  In the morning, we added finishing touches (beaks and eyes).  When it was time to set the table for our feast, there was a cute cookie turkey at each place.  Not everyone ate theirs, as the frosting had made the cookies a bit soggy, but it was worth the time and supplies to have that time with some of the grandkids.

I saw a cute gingerbread type Nativity stable made from graham crackers, frosting, marshmellows and candy on Pinterest.  I think next week I will recruit some grandkids to come make them with me.  Then, maybe snowman cookies in January, hearts in Feb, shamrocks in March…..

~Gayle

Oreo Truffles

Our family has great traditions that we have done for years.  One of my favorites is our annual Red Elf party.  My Grandparents started it when we were quite young.  I honestly don't remember a year without this party.  It included a pinata, fish pond and a room with a bed filled with Stuffed animals that we would all take turn picking from.  When it was time to pick stuffed animals my cute grandparents would come out dressed up in red long johns topped off with elf hats, a big red nose and Christmas striped toe socks.  I still look forward to this party all year.  My kids now enjoy going, even though the details have changed.  I love sharing this tradition with my kids.

A new tradition I love is making Oreo Truffles every year.  A friend of mine gave us Oreo Truffles for a neighbor gift one year and I couldn't get enough of them.  I get so excited thinking about these truffles, they are so yummy!  The best part is, that they are quite simple to make.  Just a few ingredients.

Here you go:

Oreo Truffles
1 package Oreos (just traditional type)
1 package Cream Cheese, softened
Milk chocolate chips


Blend up the Oreos, I use my Bosch and blended them until pretty smooth.
Pour the blended Oreos into a mixing bowl and add the cream cheese.  Mix the Oreos and Cream Cheese until mixed well.  I usually end up having to use my hands to get it mixed all the way.  Yes, wash them first!  Next, I roll them into small balls  maybe about 3/4 inch.  I just grab and roll the mix around my palms until it forms a ball.  While you are doing this, you can have the chocolate melting.  I usually just use a pie pan and put it over a pan of boiling water.  Stir fairly often so it doesn't get burnt at all.

Once the balls are all ready, roll them in the chocolate and lay on wax or parchment paper to cool.  If you want to make them more decorative, you could use white chocolate or colored candy melts and put them in a cake bag or even just a ziplock bag.  Cut the tip and drizzle it over the Oreos.   You could also try other chocolates to dip them in.  Have fun!

I was hoping to post a picture but have had a yucky cold bug so I haven't been up to making them.

Hope you love them as much as we all do!

~Andrea

Soft Ginger Cookies

I love ginger snaps-as long as they don't snap.  Soft and chewy for me.  I had a wonderful recipe a boss gave me years ago, but over time my tastes have changed.  I really don't like cookies made with shortening any more.  For some reason the shortening seems to stay in my mouth even when the cookie is gone.  Every fall I crave these cookies.  I wanted to try a ginger cookie made with butter instead of shortening.  I haven't been able to find the perfect recipe for me, so I decided to make up my own version.

I should also add the disclaimer that I am not a professional.  I'm sure there are better ways of doing this.  I like things simple.  So far I've had great results with these cookies.

Soft Ginger Cookies

1 C butter softened
1 C brown sugar
3/4 C white sugar
1/2 C molasses
2 eggs
4 C flour
3 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp ginger
1 tsp cloves

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and molasses.  Add the flour and spices and mix well.
One option is to chill the dough, roll into balls, and roll each ball in sugar.  That takes too long for me.  I just use a cookie scoop to put them onto a cookie sheet right after mixing.

Bake at 350 for 10-11 minutes.

These are soft and a little bit spicy-maybe not for everyone, but my family loves them!