Small Business Saturday

If you are braving the shopping world today and have an Amex you should really sign up for small business Saturday.  When you spend $25 or more at a registered small business you get $25 back from Amex.  It is a win- win, the small business will make money back too.

So before you sent foot in a big box store, think again and make some money back.  You can like the this on facebook or go directly to the American Express site.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Cookies

As the holiday season approaches many of us will be looking for cookie recipes.  This recipe is simple and you can make it however you wish.  You can even freeze them for later use.  The cookies come out delicious, just ask anyone who works with me. They were snatched up in an instant and requests for the recipe came flying in.  

Icebox Shortbread

Prep – 25 minutes (1 – 1 1/2 hour refrigerated time)

Cooking Time – 15-20 minutes

Servings – 36 cookies

•       1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
•       1 cup confectioners’ sugar
•       1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•       1/2 teaspoon salt
•       2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
•       mix-ins and coatings (see below)

1.    With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth.

2.   With mixer on low speed, add flour, mixing until a dough forms.

3.   Stir in desired mix-ins

4.   Divide dough in half; place half on a piece of floured waxed or parchment paper.

5.   With floured hands gently roll each half into 1 1/2 inch diameter log

6.   If using a coating, roll the coating on the outside here

7.   Wrap logs tightly in paper and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 1 1/2 hours

8.   Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

9.   Unwrap log; slice dough 1/2 thick. Arrange slices 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

10.  Bake until lightly golden around edges, 15-20 minutes.

11.  Cool on baking sheet 1-2 minutes, transfer to wire rack to cool completely

Mix Ins

• Grated zest of 2 oranges & 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & coat with 1/4 cup poppy seeds
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & 1/2 cup of dried blueberries
• Grated zest of 2 limes & coat with  1/4 cup of cornmeal
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & coat with 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger & coat with 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & 1/2 cup of rough chopped cashews
• 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.  For combination add a 1/4 of each.

Play with the mix-ins and enjoy!  I would have a picture to post but they don't even last long enough for me to grab the camera.

Sherlock

I am clamoring for the next season, of Masterpiece Mystery's Sherlock.  I was flipping channels one night and trying to avoid more reality dreck, when I came upon this modern Sherlock Holmes.  I went so far as to donate to PBS so I can have the episodes to watch at my will.  I LOVE IT!

This modern version features Benedict Cumberbatch, as Sherlock.  It does not shy away from technology, but embraces it, making Sherlock an avid texter and blogger.  He is an absolutely perfect Sherlock, arrogant yet lovable.

 Watson also blogs which gets the team in a little bit of trouble.  Watson is played by Martin Freeman who you might recognize from the remake of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.    Watson is not the bumbling idiot which many versions make him out to be. He is the straight man to Sherlock's dry humor.

Unfortunately, there are only 3 episodes in season 1.  There are an hour and a half long, so they are really like mini movies.  Each episode makes you want to know each character more and more.  I can't wait for the next season.  Please give it a try and I swear you will be waiting with baited breath too.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/index.html